244 CONNECTICUT GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. [Bull. 



Common. Woods, pastures, fence-rows and roadsides. 

 Mid-May — ^June ; fruit Aug-. — Sept. 



The bark is officinal under the name '' Primus virginiana," 

 and is valued for its tonic as well as sedative properties, the 

 latter due to its hydrocyanic acid, a constituent also of all other 

 parts of the plant. The foliage of this and probably that of re- 

 lated species is believed to be poisonous to cattle when wilted, 

 although harmless when fresh. The kernels of the seeds, inad- 

 vertently swallowed by children, have been fatally poisonous. 

 The wood is light, strong, hard and close-grained, valued for 

 cabinet work and interior finish. The tree is ornamental and 

 worthy of planting in some situations. 



Prunus virginiana L. 

 Choke Cherry. 



Thickets, woods, fence-rows and roadsides. Rare near the 

 coast in the southeastern part of the state but frequent or 

 common elsewhere. Mid-May — June ; fruit mid- July — Aug. 



Prunus pennsylvanica L. f. 



Wild Red Cherry. Bird, Pin or Fire Cherry. 



Occasional. Found in various soils and situations, but 

 especially in rocky woods and clearings. May ; fruit July. 



The wood is light, soft and close-grained. 



Prunus alleghaniensis Porter.. 



Alleghany or Mountain Plum. Sloe. 



Rare. Lisbon, sandy bottoms along the Quinnebaug River, 

 and Lyme, bank of the Connecticut River (Graves) ; Bridge- 

 port, wet thicket bordering a small stream, and Monroe, hill- 

 side pasture (Fames) ; Southbury, roadside in sandy soil 

 (Hargcr). May; fruit Aug. 



Prunus instititia L. (grafted). 



Prunus spinosa L., var. instititia Gray's Manual ed. 6. 

 Damson. BuIIace Plum. 



Rare. Old Lyme, escaped from a hedge (Graves), Fair- 

 field, rocky hillside (Fames). May; fruit Aug. — Sept. Ad- 

 ventive from Furope. 



Prunus maritima Wang, (of the sea-coast). 

 Beach Plum. 



