FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 147 



bark, habit, and tint of flowers. They have all been 

 referred to the above species. P. floribunda is a worthy 

 form, and one of the most brilliant of spring-flowering 

 trees. The long, slender shoots are thickly covered for 

 almost their entire length with flowers that are rich 

 crimson in the bud state, but paler when fully opened^ 

 There are numerous, very distinct varieties, such as 

 P. floribunda atrosanguinea, with deep-red flowers ; P. 

 floribunda Elise Rathe, of pendulous habit ; P. floribunda 

 John Downie, very beautiful in fruit; P. floribunda 

 pendula, a semi- weeping variety ; P. floribunda prsecox, 

 early-flowering; P. floribunda mitis, of small size; P. 

 floribunda Helleana or Parkmanii, probably the most 

 beautiful of all the forms ; and P. floribunda Fairy Apple 

 and P. floribunda Transcendant Grab, of interest on 

 account of their showy fruit. P. floribunda Toringo 

 (Toringo Crab) is a Japanese tree of small growth, 

 with sharply-cut, usually three-lobed, pubescent leaves 

 and small flowers. Fruit small, with deciduous calyx 

 lobes. 



P. gekmanica (syn Mespilus germanica). — Common 

 Medlar. Europe (Britain), Asia Minor, Persia. Early 

 records show that the Medlar was cultivated for its 

 fruit as early as 1596. Some varieties are still grown for 

 that purpose, and in that state the tree is not devoid of 

 ornament. The large white flowers are produced singly, 

 but have a fine effect in their setting of long, lanceolate, 

 finely-serrate leaves during May. 



P. japonica (syn Cydonia japonica). — Japanese Quince. 

 Japan, 1815. This is one of the commonest of garden 

 shrubs, and one that is peculiarly well suited for our 

 climate, whether planted as a standard or as a wall 

 plant. The flowers are brilliant crimson, and plentifully 

 produced towards the end of winter and before the leaves. 

 Besides the species there are several very fine varieties, 

 including P. japonica albo cincta, P. japonica atropurpurea, 



