P R UN U S domestica.
Wild Plum-tree.
1C0 SANDRTA Monogynia.
Gen. Char. Cal. 5-cleft, inferior. Pet. 5. Stone of
the drupa with slightly prominent seams.
Spec. Char. Flower-stalks mostly solitary. Leaves
lanceolate-ovate, convolute when young. Branches
without spines.
Syn. Prunus domestica. Linn. Sp. PI. 680. Sm. FI.
Brit. 527. With. 456. Hull. 108. Ger. em. 1497.
Woodv. Med. Bol. t. 85.
P. communist. Huds. 212.
P. curvata. Ehrh. Arb. 144.
GATH ER ED by Mr. W . Borrer atTwineham, Sussex, apparently
in a wild state, the blossoms early in May, the fruit
late in August.
This is a larger tree than P . insititia, t. 841, and further
differs from that in being destitute of thorns.' The flower-
stalks moreover are reported to be most frequently solitary,
and the fruit is more inclined to be elliptical or obovate; but
this, as appears by our figure, is not constant, neither do we
find the number of the flower-stalks to be depended on.
We are persuaded Mr. Hudson has done right in considering
these trees as one species, the thorns probably disappearing
by culture as in the Pyrus communis. Whether from the
curvature of the style we know not, but Ehrhart has distinguished
this among his Arlores exsiccatce by the above name,
without any specific definition. If the curvature alluded to be
constant, it might serve as a character; but w-e find great
reason, from Ehrhart’s own specimens, to doubt i t ; nor is
this author of great authority in the genus in question, he
having separated the cherry tribe into species, by the truly
puerile distinction of the colour of their juice alone.
An error in our character of P. insititia requires correction;
the young leaves are “ convolute/’ or (e coiled inward,” not
revolute.
SepB'jLaSoj.Pubtifh'd by Ja'Sow orby, London.