G. 45] CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 111 
posite leaves. The curved parallel ribs of the leaves in 
all the species are quite peculiar and readily recognized. 
Flowers small, of 4 petals, in some species rendered very 
conspicuous by large bracts. Fruit small, usually bright- 
colored drupes in clusters; ripe from August to October. 
There are but 3 species that grow at all tree-like. 
* Leaves opposite. (A.) 
A. Fruit in close head-like clusters, red when ripe........,..1. 
A. Fruit in open clusters. (B.) .- 
B. Branches bright red; fruit white...................004. 2. 
B. Branches brownish ; fruit bright red................... 3. 
* Leaves alternate; fruit blue...... 0... cece ee cee eee 4. 
1. Cérnus fldrida, L. (FLOWERING 
Doawoon.) Leaves ovate, pointed, acut- 
ish at base. Flowers in a head sur- 
rounded by 4 white bracts, making the 
whole cluster look like a single large 
flower 3 in. broad. Abundant in May 
and June. Fruit a small, bright red 
drupe with a single 2-seeded nut. Ripe 
in August. A large shrub or low tree 
15 to 40 ft. high, with broad, roundish 
head. Common on high ground through- 
out, and one of the finest small trees in €, Benda. 
cultivation. A variety with the bracts quite red is also cultivated. 
2. Cérnus alba, L. (Srperian ReEp-~ 
STEMMED CORNEL.) Leaves broadly ovate, 
acute, densely pubescent beneath; drupes 
white; branches recurved, bright red, ren- 
dering the plant a conspicuous object in 
the winter. A shrub rather than a tree, 
cultivated from Siberia; hardy throughout. 
3. Cérnus mascula, Dur. (CORNELIAN 
CHERRY.) Leaves opposite, oval-acumi- 
nate, rather pubescent on both surfaces. 
Flowers small, yellow, in umbels from a 
4-leaved involucre, blooming before the leaves are out in spring. 
Fruit oval, % in. long, cornelian-colored, ripe in autumn, rather 
sweet, used in confectionery. A large shrub or low tree, 8 to 15 
i 
2 
C. alba. 
