Bird Cherry, European Bird Cherry
Prunus padus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 6-15 m high. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is dark grey and smooth. The bark has scattered pores and peels off. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long by 6 cm across. They taper to a point. The leaves are leathery with fine, regular teeth around the edge. The leaves are dark matt green and usually turn red or yellow in autumn. The flowers are white and almond scented. They hang in long spikes. The flowers are 1 cm across and the spikes 15 cm long. The fruit are black cherries. They are 8 mm long. The fruit contains a hard oval stone.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to N. Asia and Europe. It grows in open places by streams and woods. It grows easily in limestone areas. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Arboretum Tasmania. In Inner Mongolia.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Alaska, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are bitter. They contain tannin. They are used for jams. They are dried and added to porridge and pies. The fruit are used to flavour brandies and wines. The young leaves are used as a boiled vegetable. The flowers are chewed. The bark is used for tea.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, bark - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cheremukha, Chou li zi, čremsa, Hagberry, Hegg, Kus kirazi, Mayday tree, Moil, Shotkhvi, Szelence, Toomingas, Tuomi, Tuomimarju, Zelnica

Synonyms

Padus avium Mill.; Padus racemosa (Lam.) C. K. Schneid.; Prunus racemosa Lam.; and several others