=Prunus=.—This genus includes the Plums and Cherries. Of the 100 or more species distributed in Asia, Europe and America, about 30 are native in the United States, and 4 or 5 are found in West Virginia.
Leaves 2-5 inches long; fruit purplish-black =P. serotina, p. 153.=
Leaves 2-4 inches long; fruit dark crimson =P. virginiana, p. 155.=
a. Fruit in 4-5 fruited, umbel-like bunches.
Leaves lanceolate, thin, 3-5 inches long; fruit ¼ inch in diameter, light red =P. pennsylvanica, p. 157.=
Leaves obovate, thick, rough above, 1½-4 inches long; fruit 1 inch in diameter, red or yellow =P. americana, p. 159.=
The Pulse family embraces over 400 genera with about 7,350 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs. Out of this number 100 genera with about 1,400 species are found in North America, and about 25 genera with 65 species are recorded for West Virginia. Only 3 genera with 3 species in this State can be classified as trees.
=Gleditsia=, (page 161).—About 11 species belonging to this genus are distributed throughout the temperate regions of Asia and eastern North America, 3 of which are native to the south-central and eastern parts of the United States. One is found in West Virginia.
=Cercis=, (page 163).—This genus includes 7 species of small trees and shrubs distributed in parts of Europe, Asia and North America, 3 of which are found in the United States and one in West Virginia. The genus is of little commercial importance.
=Robinia=, (page 165).—- This is an American genus containing 7 species, 4 of which are shrubs, one tree species being found in West Virginia. Locusts have been introduced into Europe where they are widely planted. The Rose Acacia (_Robinia hispida_, L.) is occasionally planted for ornamental purposes.
The Kentucky Coffee tree (_Gymnocladus dioica_, (L.) Koch.) has been planted in many sections of the State, and is reported by Millspaugh as native in Randolph and Webster counties.
This large family is confined chiefly to the Old World and the southern hemisphere, and is largely made up of herbs. Four genera have tree representatives in the United States. The species are not commercially valuable. _Ptelea_ (page 167) is the only genus native to West Virginia. Prickly Ash (_Zanthoxylum americanum_, Mill.) grows in Monongalia, Jefferson, and Taylor counties, probably as an introduced species.