European dwarf cherry, European ground cherry
Prunus fruticosa

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1.2 m high and spreads 2.4 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are glossy and green. They are 5 cm long. The flowers are white and have frilly edges. There are 3-4 flowers in a group. The fruit are dark red and cherry like. They are edible.

There are about 200 Prunus species. It is a tetraploid.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Trees can withstand temperatures of -52°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Czech, Europe, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, North America, Poland, Romania, Russia, Siberia, Slovakia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or dried. They can be used for jams, jellies and pies.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cires, Ground cherry, Hrastovidna vishna, Mongolian cherry, Steppe cherry, Wild cherry

Synonyms

Cerasus fruticosa (Pall.) Woronow;