274 PYRUS 



P. ANGUSTIFOLIA, Aiton. 

 (Malus angustifolia, Mickaux.*) 



A small tree, semi-evergreen in mild winters, 20 ft. or more high ; shoots 

 smooth except when quite young. Leaves oval or oblong, sometimes 

 lanceolate ; I to 3 ins. long, | to if ins. wide : dark shining green above, 

 paler beneath, and nearly or quite smooth' when fully grown ; base usually 

 tapering, margins coarsely toothed, especially towards the apex. On the 

 flowering twigs the leaves are small, I to iijr ins. long, oblong, and entire, or 

 with a few teeth only towards the apex. Flowers fragrant like violets, rosy 

 or almost white, I to i ins. across, produced usually in clusters of four ; 

 each flower on a slender stalk, i to i ins. long ; calyx teeth white, woolly 

 inside. Fruit f in. across, yellowish green, fragrant, harsh, acid. 



Native of Eastern N. America ; introduced, according to Aiton, in 1750. 

 The true plant was evidently known to Loudon, but it had disappeared from 

 cultivation until a few years ago, when it was reintroduced from the United 

 States. It is closely allied to P. coronaria, and has been regarded as a variety 

 of it. It has, however, a more southern distribution in a wild state, and is 

 quite distinct in the shape of its leaves, which are only about half as wide in 

 proportion to their length, and have wedge-shaped bases. The tree known 

 in cultivation as " P. angustifolia flore pleno " is a double-flowered variety of 

 another closely allied species P. ioensis distinguished from this and 

 P. coronaria by the persistently woolly leaves. 



P. ARBUTIFOLIA, Linn&US fit. CHOKEBERRY. 

 (Sorbus arbutifolia, Heynhold ; Aronia arbutifolia, Medicus.) 



A shrub of bushy, vigorous habit, from 5 to 10 ft. high ; branchlets covered 

 with down, which persists over the winter. Leaves narrowly obovate or 

 oval, tapering at both ends ; i^ to 3^ ins. long, ^ to f in. wide ; the margins 

 set with even, black-tipped teeth ; upper surface dark dull green, with dark 

 glands along the midrib ; lower surface covered with a thick grey felt, 

 which remains until the leaf falls ; stalk in. or less long. Flowers white, or 

 slightly rosy, about -| in. across, produced during late May in small corymbs. 

 Fruit globular or rather pear-shaped, in. wide, red. 



Native of Eastern N. America ; cultivated in England since 1700. Along 

 with P. melanocarpa (q.v.} it constitutes the section of Pyrus called ARONIA. 

 It is a variable plant (Loudon describes some nine or ten forms), and has 

 hybridised with P. melanocarpa. It is found under several names in gardens, 

 and is confused with P. melanocarpa. That species, however, in its typical 

 form, is well distinguished by its smooth or nearly smooth leaves and black 

 fruits. The foliage of several forms of P. arbutifolia, especially one grown 

 in nurseries as " erythrocarpa," turns a brilliant red before falling. The species 

 is indeed worth growing for its autumn colour alone. 



P. ARIA, Ehrhart. WHITEBEAM. 



(Sorbus Aria, Grant z ; Aria nivea, Host.} 



A tree usually 30 to 45 ft. high in gardens, but occasionally met with 60 to 

 80 ft. high ; main branches more or less erect ; young branchlets clothed 

 with loose white down, becoming nearly smooth and lustrous dark brown by 

 winter, and furnished with pale, wart-like excrescences. Leaves with eight to 

 thirteen pairs of parallel ribs, oval or obovate ; 2 to 4 ins. long, half to two- 

 thirds as wide ; usually tapering, but sometimes rounded at the base, pointed 



