at the stem 8.

=D.= Rather small, native tree; drupe small, flesh thin 7.

=C.= Drupes clustered in racemes, 1/8 - 1/3 in. in diameter.
(=E.=)

=E.= Tall shrubs rather than trees; racemes short 11.

=E.= Trees; racemes quite elongated. (=F.=)

=F.= Stone of fruit somewhat roughened 12.

=F.= Stone smooth 10.

[Illustration: P. Persica.]

1. =Prunus Persica=, L. (COMMON PEACH.) Leaves lanceolate, serrate.
Flowers rose-colored, nearly sessile, very early in bloom. Fruit clothed
with velvety down, large; stone rough-wrinkled. A small tree, 15 to 30
ft. high, cultivated in numberless varieties for its fruit. Var. _laevis_
(Nectarine) has smooth-skinned fruit.

[Illustration: P. Americana.]

2. =Prunus Americana=, Marsh. (WILD YELLOW OR RED PLUM.) Leaves ovate or
somewhat obovate, conspicuously pointed, coarsely or doubly serrate,
very veiny, smooth when mature. Fruit with little or no bloom, 1/2 to 1
in. in diameter, yellow, orange, or red; skin tough and bitter. Stone
with two sharp edges. A small, thorny tree, 8 to 20 ft. high, common in
woodlands and on river-banks. Many improved varieties, some thornless,
are in cultivation. Wood reddish color.

[Illustration: P. Alleghaniensis.]

3. =Prunus Alleghaniensis=, Porter. (ALLEGHANY PLUM.) Leaves lanceolate
to oblong-ovate, often long-acuminate, finely and sharply serrate,
softly pubescent when young, smooth when old; fruit globose-ovoid, under
1/2 in., very dark purple, with a bloom; stone turgid, a shallow groove
on one side and a broad, flat ridge on the other. A low, straggling bush,
occasionally a tree, 3 to 15 ft. high. Mountains of Pennsylvania.

[Illustration: P. Chicasa.]

4. =Prunus Chicasa=, Michx. (CHICASAW PLUM.) Leaves long, narrow, almost
lanceolate, acute, finely serrate, thin. Flowers on short stalks. Fruit
globular, 1/2 to 2/3 in. in diameter, thin-skinned, without bloom,
yellowish-red, pleasant to taste. Stone globular, without sharp edges. A
thorny shrub or small tree, 6 to 15 ft. high; wild in New Jersey, west
and south, and often cultivated.

[Illustration: P. spinosa.]

5. =Prunus spinosa=, L. (SLOE. BLACKTHORN. BULLACE PLUM.) Leaves
obovate-oblong to lance-oblong, sharply serrate, soon smooth; leafstalk
smooth; fruit small, globular, black, w