94 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



Louisiana ; and in this State from the coast to Chero- 

 kee, especially in the Upper District, along streams 

 and on the border of woods. The leaves are quite 

 veiny and coarsely toothed. The fruit is red, orange 

 or yellow, with a rather tough skin, generally acerb 

 and uneatable, but occasionally of good flavor and 

 then makes an excellent preserve. Some very good 

 varieties have been produced by cultivation. 



2. Chickasaw Plum. (P. Chicasa, Michx.) — A 

 shrub very common in old fields and about settle- 

 ments throughout the State, sometimes becoming a 

 small tree. It has every appearance of being ^n 

 introduced plant, and it was a tradition of the 

 Indians tliat they brought this fruit from beyond the 

 Mississippi, where it is now known to be indigenous. 

 The leaves are smooth, not very veiny, and finely 

 toothed. The fruit varies very much both in color 

 and flavor, but generally quite pleasant, and is 

 much improved by cultivation. 



3. Sloe. (P. spinosa, Linn.?) — I have seen this 

 only in Lincoln County, where it was pointed out to 

 me by Dr. Hunter, and called by the above name. 

 As I have no notes upon this small tree, I am now in 

 uncertainty whether it be identical with the English 

 Sloe or Blackthorn^ which is naturalized in some 

 parts of the country, and is considered by the best 

 Botanists to be the parent of the common cultivated 

 Plum (P. domestica, Linn.). 



4. Wild Cherry. (P. serotina, Ehrh.) — This 

 ranks among the largest and finest trees of the 



