DRUPACEAE, 525 



and sharply serrate, rounded at the base, pubescent beneath even when old; flow- 

 ers white, numerous, in lateral umbels, expanding before the leaves, 10-16 mm. 

 broad ; petals obovate; drupe globose, purple, 1.5-2.5 cm. in diameter, sweet, 

 covered with a bloom; stone little flattened, acute on one margin, slightly grooved 

 on the other. On seabeaches and in sandy soil near the coast, Va. to N. B. 

 April-May. Fruit ripe in Sept. or Oct. 



8. Primus Gravesii Small. Graves' Beach Plum. (I. F. f. 2014.) A low 

 shrub, reaching a maximum height of about 1.3 m., not thorny, the twigs of the 

 season mostly puberulent. Leaves orbicular, oval-orbicular, or slightly obovate, 

 1.6-3 cm - l° n g« rounded, retuse or apiculate at the apex, obtuse or truncate at the 

 base, pubescent, at least on the nerves beneath ; flowers about 12 mm. broad, soli- 

 tary or 2-3 together in lateral umbels, expanding with the leaves; petals subor- 

 bicular; drape globose, 10 16 mm. in diameter, nearly black, with a light blue 

 bloom; stone nearly as thick as wide, pointed only at the base. On a gravelly 

 ridge, Groton, Conn. May-June. Fruit ripe in Sept. 



9. Prunus gracilis Engelm. & Gray. Low Plum. (I. F. f. 2015.) A shrub, 

 3-12 dm. high, the foliage and young twigs densely soft-pubescent. Leaves short- 

 petioled, ovate-lanceolate or oval, acute or acutish at both ends, sharply serrate, 

 glabrate on the upper surface at maturity; flowers 6-8 mm. broad, in lateral um- 

 bels, appearing before the leaves; pedicels slender, pubescent; drupe oval-globose, 

 8-10 mm. in diameter; stone little flattened, nearly orbicular. In sandy or dry 

 soil. Tenn. to Kans. and Tex. 



10. Prunus spinosa L. Sloe. Blackthorn. Buckthorn. (I. F. f. 

 2016.) A shrub with thorny branches, 0.6-5 m - big' 1 - Leaves ovate or oblong, 

 obtuse at the apex, serrate, nearly glabrous when mature; flowers white, 8-12 mm. 

 broad, appearing before the leaves, the lateral clusters only 1-2-flowered; drupe 

 ovoid-globose, nearly black with a bloom, about 12 mm. in diameter ; stone little 

 flattened, acute on one edge. Along roadsides, etc., Penn. and N. J. to Masf. 

 Nat. or adv. from Europe. April-May. [Prunus spinosa insititia A. Gray.] 



11. Prunus pumila L. Sand Cherry. Dwarf Cherry. (I. F. f. 2017.) 

 Much branched from the base, sometimes bushy, 0.2-2 m. high. Leaves mostly 

 oblanceolate or spatulate, acute or acutish, narrowed at the base, serrate, especially 

 toward the apex, usually pale beneath and deep green above, glabrous or very 

 nearly so on both sides when mature; flowers 8-10 mm. broad, appearing with the 

 leaves in sessile lateral umbels ; drupe 8-12 mm. in diameter, dark red or nearly 

 black when mature without bloom; flesh thin, acid. On sandy or gravelly shores, 

 N. B. to Manitoba, N. J. and Mich. April-May. Fruit ripe in August. 



12. Prunus cuneata Raf. Appalachian Cherry. (I. F. f. 2018.) An 

 erect shrub, 3-12 dm. high, the branches light-colored. Leaves oval, oblong or 

 obovate, obtuse or sometimes acute at the apex, narrowed or wedge-shaped at the 

 base, serrate with rather appressed teeth, rather thin, 2-8 cm. long; flowers in um- 

 bels, appearing with the leaves, about 1 cm. broad; drupe globose, 8-10 mm. in 

 diameter. In wet soil, or among rocks, N. H. to Minn., N. Car. and Wis. 



13. Prunus Besseyi Bailey. Western Sand Cherry. Bessey's Cherry. 

 (I. F. f. 2019.) A shrub, 3-12 dm. high, the branches spreading or prostrate. 

 Leaves elliptic, oblong or oval, the teeth appressed, the apex and base mostly 

 acute; flowers in sessile umbels, expanding with the leaves, 8-10 mm. broad; fruit 

 12-16 mm. in diameter, on stout pedicels; bitterish and astringent, black, mottled 

 or yellowish. Prairies, Manitoba and Minn, to Kans. and Utah. April-May. 



14. Prunus Cerasus L. Sour Cherry. Egriot. (I. F. f. 2020.) A tree. 

 Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, variously dentate, abruptly acute or acuminate, 

 rounded at the base, very resinous when young; flowers white, 1.5-2.5 cm. broad, 

 in sessile, lateral, very scaly umbels, expanding with the leaves or before them; 

 pedicels little over 3 cm. long in flower; drupe globose, 8-10 mm. in diameter larger 

 in cultivation), black or red, sour, without bloom; stone globose. In woods and 

 thickets. N. H. and Mass. to X. Y. and Penn., escaped from cultivation. Native 

 of Europe. April-May. Fruit June-July. 



15. Prunus Avium L. Wild or Crab Cherry. Mazard. Gean. Sweet 

 Cherry. (I. F. f. 2021.) A large tree. Leaves ovate, oval, or slightly olx>vate, 

 abruptly short-acuminate, irregularly serrate, pubescent on the veins beneath, or 

 over the entire lower surface when young ; flowers white, about 2.5 cm. broad, in 



