144 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SHRUBS 



of these characteristics. Many of the species are apt to be thorny. The 

 blossoms are single with 5 petals and many stamens, like the peach ; or 



Fig. 204. — English Laurel. 



double, like the flowering almond, 

 before the leaves expand. 



Fig. 205. — Mock Orange. 



Nearly all bloom in spring, some 

 [Seeds ; grafting of varieties.] 



KEY TO SMALL BUSHY POEMS OF PEUNUS CUL- 

 TIVATED EOE FLOWEES AND FOLIAGE MOEE 

 THAIS" FOE FEUIT 



* Leaves deciduous; flowers solitary or in umbel-like clusters. (A.) 



A. Plant usually very thorny ; fruit, if formed, small (^ inch or less), 



purple or yeUow, covered with blooin like a plum ; leaves blunt ; 



low spreading bushes. (B.) 



B. Fruit, if formed, small, pea-like, and inedible, hanging on until 



winter ; leaves very numerous and small. Blackthorn (198) 



— Prunus spm6sa. 



B. Fruit flattened at ends, J inch long ; flowers abundant, before 

 the leaves ; branches rough and warty. Beach Plum (199) 



— Prunus maritima. 



B. Fruit large (f-lj inches) globular ; leaves in the ornamental 



