BLACK OR DARK PURPLE 197 



They are sharply toothed and smooth when 

 mature. 



Flowers. — The white flowers are solitary or 

 two in a cluster. April, May. 



This thorny shrub was introduced from Eu- 

 rope, and often occurs as an escape along road- 

 sides from Massachusetts to New Jersey and 

 Pennsylvania. 



A variety, insititia, Bullace Plum, is less 

 thorny, and has hairy leaves and stems. 



SAND CHERRY. DWARF CHERRY 

 Prunus pumila Plum Family 



Fruit. — The drupes are about half an inch 

 long and are dark red or, when fully ripe, black. 

 They are without bloom. The flesh is rather 

 thin and the stone is large and ovoid. The 

 cherries are solitary or in small clusters. The 

 shrub usually fruits abundantly. The cherries 

 are sweet and edible. August. 



Leaves. — The leaves are obovate-lanceolate, 

 with a narrowed base. They are deep green 

 above and paler beneath. The margin is 

 toothed with the exception of a short distance 



