0185 



Russian, tscheremucha. Tartar, gurnurut, mojel. Kalmuk, moisun. 



USES. The bark of the bird cherry branches is bitter and astringent. It had been 

 tried out in place of cinchona for treating intermittent fevers, but it seems not to have 

 been successful as a febrifuge, so it's not used medicinally. In Germany some country 

 folk wear the fruit in amulets in the belief that it can cure or ward off epilepsy. 



The Portugal laurel, Cerasus azarero, Primus azarero^ Linn., is an evergreen 

 shrub that grows about fifteen feet high. It takes on a bushy appearance, very densely 

 covered with limbs and branches. The leaves, a beautiful green, are alternate, petiolate, 

 oval-lanceolate, pointed, and dentate. The white flowers are in upright clusters. The fruit, 

 green at first, becomes a deep violet-purple when it ripens. 



FLOWERS: June and July. 



RANGE: Portugal; acclimatized in almost all of France. 



NOMENCLATURE. Commonly, Vazarero, le laurier de Portugal [Translator's 

 note: azarero, Portuguese laurel]. German, portugisische kirsche. English, Portugal 

 laurel. Spanish, loro. Portuguese, azareiro, azareira. 



USES. This shrub deserves a place in winter groves where its bright evergreen 

 foliage creates a fine appearance. It's never harmed by cold. 



The Bigarreau cherry tree, Cerasus duracina, decand, Prunus cerasus^ Linn., is a 

 tall tree with upright branches that several authorities believe to be a variety of wild 

 cherry. The leaves are large, dentate, and pendent. Five or six flowers emerge together 

 from the same bud. The fruit is full, firm, and heart-shaped, with a longitudinal crease 

 along one side. 



FLOWERS: April and May. It doesn't grow wild; it's obtained by grafting. 



USES. Everyone is familiar with the high quality of the fruit. There are several 

 cultivated varieties. 



