RED OR REDDISH PURPLE 87 



racemes. The petals are more rounded than 

 those of the Wild Black Cherry. April, May. 



This shrub sometimes becomes a small tree. 

 The largest growths are found in Nebraska, 

 Indian Territory, and Texas. The trunk rarely 

 has a diameter of more than two or three inches. 



The plant is decorative in fruit, with its clus- 

 ters of shining, jewel-like spheres. The fruit 

 of some shrubs is quite pleasant to the taste, 

 while one cherry from another will "pucker" 

 lips, tongue, and roof of mouth, and set one's 

 teeth on edge. The skin seems to possess more 

 of the astringent quality than the flesh. 



Bluebirds, robins, cedar birds, crows, king- 

 birds, hairy woodpeckers, and flickers are fond 

 of the fruit. Bears are said to aid in scatter- 

 ing the seed. As for children, how they will 

 fur their tongues with bunch after bunch of the 

 cherries ! It is almost impossible to remove the 

 stain of this fruit from clothing. 



The Choke Cherry has an extended range from 

 within the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico 

 and across the continent. It is a familiar fea- 

 ture of roadside and fence-row growth and often 

 grows near streams. 



