Birch bark cherry, Tibetan Cherry
Prunus serrula

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 15 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is glossy red-brown and smooth. It has bands of pale lenticels. The bark peels across in strips. The leaves are sword shaped and 10 cm long by 3 cm wide. They taper to a slender point. There are fine teeth along the edges. The leaves are matt dark green. The flowers are white and 2 cm across. They hang down. They are borne singly or in clusters or up to 3. The fruit is an egg shaped cherry. It is about 1 cm long and yellow but becomes red on as it ripens.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to W. China. It grows in woods in the mountains. It grows between 1,200-4,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Myanmar, SE Asia, Tasmania, Tibet

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Prunus serrula var. tibetica;