Black cherry
Prunus serotina

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 22-25 m high. The trunk is 60 cm across. The bark is dark grey and smooth. The leaves are sword shaped and 5-15 cm long. They gradually taper to both ends. The upper surface is shiny bright green. It is paler underneath. The teeth are elongated and curve inwards. The flowers are in loose clusters. These are 10-15 cm long. They are at the end of new short, leafy shoots. The fruit are in drooping clusters of 6-12 fruit. The fruit are 8-10 mm across. They are dark reddish-black. They are edible.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is native to North America. It grows in woods, pastures and along roadsides. It grows well on a wide variety of soils. It is intolerant of shade. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Australia, Austria, Belize, Belgium, Bolivia, Britain, Burundi, Canada, Central America, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Europe, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Scandinavia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA (country/location of origin), Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are used for jelly and wine. They are also stewed, and used for pies. The bark is the source of an extract used for flavouring drinks, syrups and baked goods. The twigs are used to make a drink. The fruit are also mashed, made into small cakes and dried for later use.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

It lives for 150 years. Abundant seed crops occur every 3-4 years.

Its other names

Local names

Capuli, Chaucha, Duraznillo, Rum cherry, Usun, Xinrrenz'e

Synonyms

Cerasus capollin Ser. ex DC.; Cerasus longifolius Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray; Cerasus capollin var. prophyllosa Donn. Sm.; Cerasus serotina Loisel; Padus serotina Bork.; Prunus capuli Cav.; Prunus salicifolia Kunth; Prunus serotina var. salicifolia (Kunth) Koehne;