2. P. marítima, Wang. (Beach Plum.) Low and straggling (1–5°); leaves ovate or oval, finely serrate, softly pubescent underneath; pedicels short, pubescent; fruit globular, purple or crimson with a bloom (½–1´ in diameter); the stone very turgid, acute on one edge, rounded and minutely grooved on the other.—Sea beaches and the vicinity, N. Brunswick to Va. It varies, when at some distance from the coast (N. J. and southward), with the leaves smoother and thinner and the fruit smaller.
3. P. Alleghaniénsis, Porter. A low straggling shrub or small tree (3–15° high), seldom thorny; leaves lanceolate to oblong-ovate, often long-acuminate, finely and sharply serrate, softly pubescent when young, glabrate with age; fruit globose-ovoid, very dark purple with a bloom (less than ½´ in diameter); stone turgid, a shallow groove on one side and a broad flat ridge on the other.—Bluffs of the Alleghany Mts., Penn.
4. P. Chicàsa, Michx. (Chickasaw Plum.) Stem scarcely thorny (8–15° high); leaves nearly lanceolate, finely serrulate, glabrous; fruit globular, red, nearly destitute of bloom (½–{2/3}´ in diameter); the ovoid stone almost as thick as wide, rounded at both sutures, one of them minutely grooved.—Md. to Fla., west to S. Ind., Kan., and Tex.
5. P. grácilis, Engelm. & Gray. Soft-pubescent, 1–4° high; leaves oblong-lanceolate to ovate, acute, sharply serrate, becoming nearly glabrous above, 1–2´ long; pedicels and calyx pubescent; fruit less than ½´ in diameter; stone rather turgid, suborbicular.—Prairies and sandy places, S. Kan. to Tex. and Tenn.
6. P. pùmila, L. (Dwarf Cherry. Sand C.) Smooth, depressed and trailing (6´–6° high); leaves obovate-lanceolate, tapering to the base, somewhat toothed near the apex, pale underneath; flowers 2–4 together; fruit ovoid, dark red or nearly black when ripe, without bloom; stone ovoid, marginless, of the size of a large pea.—Rocks or sandy banks, N. Brunswick to Va., west to Minn. and Kan. Fruit usually sour and astringent.
7. P. Pennsylvánica, L. f. (Wild Red Cherry.) Tree 20–30° high, with light red-brown bark; leaves oblong-lanceolate, pointed, finely and sharply serrate, shining, green and smooth both sides; flowers many in a cluster, on long pedicels; fruit globose, light red, very small, with thin and sour flesh; stone globular.—Rocky woods, Newf. to N. C., west to Minn. and Mo.
P. spinòsa, L. (Sloe. Black Thorn.) Branches thorny; leaves obovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, sharply serrate, at length glabrous; pedicels glabrous; fruit small, globular, black with a bloom, the stone turgid, acute on one edge.—Var. insitítia (Bullace-Plum), is less spiny, the pedicels and lower side of the leaves pubescent.—Roadsides and waste places, N. Eng. to Penn. and N. J. (Adv. from Eu.)
§ 2. PADUS. Drupe small, globose, without bloom; the stone turgid-ovate, marginless; flowers in racemes terminating leafy branches, therefore appearing after the leaves, late in spring.
8. P. Virginiàna, L. (Choke-Cherry.) A tall shrub, with grayish bark; leaves oval, oblong, or obovate, abruptly pointed, very sharply (often doubly) serrate with slender teeth, thin; petals roundish; fruit red turning to dark crimson; stone smooth.—River-banks, Newf. to Ga., west to Minn., E. Neb., and Tex.—Fruit very austere and astringent. A variety with very short dense racemes and sweeter yellowish fruit has been found at Dedham, Mass.
9. P. seròtina, Ehrh. (Wild Black Cherry.) A large tree, with reddish-brown branches; leaves oblong or lanceolate-oblong, taper-pointed, serrate with incurved short and callous teeth, thickish, shining above; racemes elongated; petals obovate; fruit purplish-black.—Woods, N. Scotia to Fla., west to Minn., E. Neb., and La.—Fruit slightly bitter, but with a pleasant vinous flavor.