198 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



at the base, which is entire. The leaves change 

 to a deep red in autumn. 



Floivers. — The white blossoms grow in few- 

 flowered clusters. 



This trailing or prostrate shrub sends up erect 

 branches which are sometimes four feet high. 

 The plant sends out suckers freely, and spread- 

 ing thus soon forms clumps. It grows in sandy 

 places along the eastern coast south to New 

 Jersey. It also occurs along the shores of the 

 Great Lakes. 



WILD BLACK CHERRY. RUM CHERRY 

 Prunus serotina Plum Family 



Fruit. — The black drupes grow in loose 

 clusters at the ends of leafy branches. Many 

 of the flowers do not develop, and the cluster 

 often has a scraggly appearance. In ripening 

 the fruits change from green through yellowish 

 red, red, and dark red to black. The separate 

 cherries are spherical and flattened vertically. 

 A tiny depression is at the summit and the 

 persistent calyx is at the base. The pedicels 

 are short. The flesh is yellow or reddish and 

 rather thin. It is sweet, and although some- 



