WILD RED PLUM; YELLOW PLUM (Prunus Americana 

 Marsh.). 15 to 20 feet. Graceful little tree with wide-spread- 

 ing branches, and angular twigs with lateral spurs sharp, 

 ' ending in thorns. Bark reddish brown, checked into scaly 

 plates. Wood hard, close-grained, heavy, strong, reddish - 

 brown, used for fuel. Leaves oval, tapering at apex and base, 

 finely serrate, thick, firm, rough above, pale, smooth beneath, 

 3 to 4 inches long, turning yellow. Flowers in April, before 

 leaves, fragrant, white, perfect, with 5 petals that turn pink 

 in fading. Fruit a globose, fleshy, tart, rich-flavored drupe, 

 1 inch long, with a single pit, flat, with sharp edge; skin tough, 

 bitter, puckery to taste. Dist.: River banks, New York to 

 Colorado and Texas. 



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