142 



Rosaces Prunus. 



4. P. communis (fig. 80). Almond. This tree very much 

 resembles the Peach-tree, but it is larger, of more erect habit, 



has larger flowers, and the fruit 

 is not fleshy, the stone being 

 enveloped in a tough downy 

 fibrous husk. The varieties are 

 numerous, and include pink, 

 deep red, and double-flowered, 

 and another of weeping habit. 

 A native of North Africa, and a 

 very ornamental tree in early 

 Spring when covered with 

 flowers. 



P. nana and P. pumila, syn. 

 Cerasus Japonica, are allied 

 dwarf shrubby species, the 

 former with single, the latter 

 with double red or white flowers, 

 and leaves bordered with red. 



TRIBE ll.SPIR^EE^E. 



rig. so. prunus communis. (j nat. size.) Lobes of the calyx usually per- 

 sistent. Stamens 10 or more. Carpels 1 to 8. Ovules 2 or 

 more, pendulous. Carpels not included in the calyx-tube. 

 Shrubs or herbs. 



2. SPIRJEA. 



Shrubby or herbaceous plants with alternate simple pinnate 

 or bi- or tri-ternate leaves, and free or sheathing stipules. 

 Flowers rose or white, inflorescence variable. Sepals and 

 petals 4 or o. Stamens 20 to 60, inserted around the mouth 

 of the calyx-tube. Carpels usually 5, dehiscent ; seeds many, 

 rarely few, oblong or narrow. The name is said to be derived 

 from o-Trsipdo), to wind, in allusion to the suitability of some 

 species for forming garlands. Somewhere about fifty species 

 occur in the temperate and cold regions of the North, a few 

 reaching the mountains of the tropics. This name was applied 

 to a plant by Theophrastus, supposed to be S. salicifolia. 

 The species cultivated are numerous, but we must confine our 

 enumeration to a selection of the best. The plant often named 

 S. Japonica, or S. barbata, will be found under its proper 

 genus Astilbe. 



