172 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



rib are often spiny. The upper and lower sur- 

 faces are both green and shining. The stems 

 are tendril-bearing. The leaves cling long to 

 the vines. 



Floivers. — The dioecious flowers grow in 

 quite full umbels. April- July. 



The prickles on this vine are few, short, stiff, 

 and scattered. The circular stem and the 

 angular branchlets are both green. It has been 

 reported in Massachusetts, and extends from 

 New Jersey to Florida, and west to Illinois, 

 Texas, and Missouri. 



HACKBERRY. SUGARBERRY 

 Celtis occidentalis Elm Family 



Fruit. — The solitary drupe is about as large 

 as a pea. It grows from the leaf axil on a 

 drooping stem. The calyx is persistent, and 

 the stigma is at the tip. The ripe fruit is dark 

 purple. The flesh is rather thin and very sweet, 

 and the stone is large. September, October, and 

 persistent. 



Leaves. — The two sides of the leaf are quite 

 unlike, one being much broader at the base than 



