348 THE PLUM. 



summer. Another variety produces yellow fruit. Tree 

 low, spreading, bushy, thorny; leaves narrow-lanceolate, 

 somewhat in shape like those of a peach. A native of the 

 Western States. 



Wild Red or Yellow Plum. (Prunus americana.) There 

 ai'e many wild varieties of this species, the fruit varying 

 from roundish to oval, and presenting various shades of 

 color, mostly light red. Some have a pleasant, rich, 

 sweet, or sub-acid pulp. Tree 10 to 15 feet high, leaves 

 ovate, coarsely serrate, branches somewhat thorny. Ri- 

 pens latter part of summer. The quality of the fruit is 

 improved by cultivation. It is sometimes used as stocks 

 for the plum and apricot. 



The Beach Plum. (Prunus maritima.) Fruit nearly me- 

 dium in size, varying from reddish to dark purple, plea- 

 sant, astringent. A shrub with stout straggling branches; 

 leaves oblong-ovate. A native of the sea-coast of the 

 northern and middle states. 



