Handbook of Trees of the A'^oetiiekx States axd Canada. 277 



The Allegliany Sloe is a small intncatrly 

 branched tree, at best not surpassing 18 or 20 

 It. in height or S or 10 in. in thickness of 

 tnink, vested in a loose scaly bark. It is 

 usually a straggling shrub forming in places 

 extensive thickets and occupying alike low 

 moist soil and well-drained slopes and limestone 

 ridges. In distribution it is the most restricted 

 of the Plums, being confined so far as now 

 understood to central Pennsylvania, chielly 

 Tussey Mountain in Huntingdon Co., PjuUI 

 Eagle Mountain and Valley and the Alleglia- 

 nies in Clearfield and Llk Counties. Occupy- 

 ing the wildest places of these regions itescaped 

 the notice of botanists until about thirty years 

 ago. It is well worthy of cultivation in the 

 garden both on account of its abundant tlriweis 

 and small glaucous blue-black fruit which it 

 produces in abundance. I^lie fruit is of a 

 pleasant subacid llavor and is gathered and 

 used, in considerable quantities under the 

 name of "sloes."' by the country residents, fiu' 

 preserves, jellies, etc. It is rpiite probable lh:it 

 it will be improved by selection and cultiva- 

 tion. 



lAiirrs obovate-elliptical. I'/j-" iu. long, mostl.v 

 rnunded or obtuse at base, acuminate at apex, 

 sharply serrate, pubescent at first, finally puber- 

 iilous, dark green above, paler and glabrous ex- 

 cepting on veins beneath : petioles \i in. lorn;-, 

 puberulous. Floiccrs appearing in May with the 

 leaves, i/o in. in diameter in 2-4-flowerecl umhi'ls ; 

 calyx pubescent. Fruit ripens by the middle of 

 .\ugust, suhglobose, about Vi in. in diameter, dark 

 imrple with liloom. on stont pedicels, with 

 Hiirkish skin, of pleasant subacid or austere flavor 

 .ind with turgid pit. 



