144 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SHRUBS 



of these characteristics, Many of the species are apt to be thorny. The 

 blossoms are single witli 5 petals and many stamens, like the peach ; or 



Fig. 204. — Euiilish Laurel. 



Fig. 205. — Mock Orange. 



double, like the flowering almond. Nearly all bloom in spring, some 

 before the leaves expand. [Seeds ; grafting of varieties.] 



KEY TO SMALL BUSHY FORMS OF PRUNUS CUL- 

 TIVATED FOR FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE MORE 

 THAN FOR FRUIT 



* Leaves deciduous; flowers solitary or in umbel-like clusters. (A.) 



A. Plant usually very thorny ; fruit, if formed, small (^ inch or less), 



purple or yellow, covered with bloom like a plum ; leaves blunt ; 



low spreading bushes. (B.) 



B. Kruit, if formed, small, pea-like, and inedible, hanging on until 



winter; leaves very numerous and small. Blackthorn (198) 



— Prunus spinosa. 



B. Pruit flattened at ends, | inch long ; flowers abundant, before 

 the leaves ; branches rough and warty. Beach Plum (199) 



— Prunus marftima. 



B. Fruit large (f-^ inches) globular; leaves in the ornamental 



