98 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



contains three to eight lunate smooth nutlets. 

 The fruits grow on short stems and are solitary 

 or in clusters. They appear as if arranged 

 spirally around the branches. The flicker is 

 said to eat the berries. September, and clinging 

 long after the leaves fall. 



Leaves. — The leaves tm^n black in autumn. 

 They are oval or wedge-lanceolate, acute at the 

 apex, toothed, smooth above and hairy below, 

 along the depressed veins. 



Flowers. — The small, polygamo-dioecious 

 flowers are solitary or clustered in the axils. 

 May, June. 



The fence and stone-wall growth is brightened 

 in the fall by the Black Alder with its scarlet 

 berries. These are said to be eaten by flickers, 

 and its growth along fence rows would suggest 

 its dispersal by birds. The bushes with the 

 berries snow-laden are a beautiful sight. I was 

 glad to recognize these bright wild fruits in 

 the windows of New York City florists, 

 placed amidst fantastic orchids and customary 

 Christmas decorations. The plant ranges 

 throughout the eastern part of the United 

 States as far west as Missouri. It also occurs 

 in Nova Scotia. 



