116 HOW TO KXOW WILD FRUITS 



Leaves. — The usually few, thick, evergreen 

 leaves are borne at the ends of the branches. 

 They are alternate, ovate and glossy above with 

 a whitened under surface. They are sparsely 

 toothed with bristle-like teeth. The petioles are 

 short and reddish. The young leaves are tender 

 and delicious in flavor. 



Floicers, — The usually solitary, white, nod- 

 ding flowers are waxy and vaselike. 



When we search woods and moist banks in 

 June for the '^ Young Wintergreen " we are apt 

 to find last year's berries still lingering. The 

 new fruits ripen in the fall, and serve during the 

 winter as food for the birds. This plant is one 

 example of red fruits contrasted with evergreen 

 leaves. The branches grow from a creeping or 

 underground stem. The plant is found in vari- 

 ous localities. Its range is southward from 

 Maine and west to Michigan. 



RED BEARBERRY 

 Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Heath Family 



Fruit. — The drupes grow in short clusters 

 and retain the calyx at the base of each fruit. 

 They are red, and the flesh is mealy and taste- 



