BED OR REDDISH PURPLE 83 



They open before the leaves appear. April, 

 May. 



This rather low shrub is a habitant of sandy 

 or stony beaches, and sometimes grows in waste 

 places twenty miles or so inland. It grows in 

 clumps and often fruits abundantly. The plums 

 are sweet when ripe, and in some places are 

 gathered and sold for preserving. 



WILD RED CHERRY. BIRD CHERRY. PIN 

 OR PIGEON CHERRY 



Prunus Pennsylvanica Plum Family 



Fruit. — The small light red drupes grow in 

 clusters of from two to five. These clusters 

 grow from the leaf axils or take the place 

 of leaves at the end of the previous year's 

 shoots. They often occupy a leafless space of 

 six or more inches along the branches, with 

 leaves above and below them. The slender 

 fruit stem is from three-quarters to an inch 

 in length. Each cherry is globular, about tlie 

 size of a pea, and retains at the tip a remnant 

 of the style. The flesh is thin and sour. The 

 stone is large in comparison with the whole 



