Himalaya Wild Cherry, Yunnan plum
Prunus cerasoides

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to about 15 m high. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate. The leaves are 6-12.5 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are oval to sword shaped. They are pointed. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are stalked. The flowers are pink. The fruit are red. They are fleshy and oval. The fruit are edible.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It grows between 1,000 and 1,800 m altitude. In Nepal it grows between 1300-2400 m altitude. It grows in open places. In India it is in Garhwal Himalayas. It is somewhat frost tender. In Yunnan in China it grows in subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are acidic. They are also used to make brandy and wine. The stem is the source of a gum used in gum tragacanth.

They are often planted by wayside stopping places in the Himalayas. It is a cultivated food plant. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings.

It is quick growing.

Its other names

Local names

Anhdao, Ban paiyum, Byin-bying, Chai-ri, Chumbrei, Chyarbu, Dieng-soh-iong-krem, Gaopen Yingtao, Geiha, Kastha, Kevisi, Mai-sein, Padam, Paddam, Padma kathi, Padma, Padmak, Padmaka, Painu, Painyu, Paiyon, Paiyun, Paja, Pajja, Panni, Pannu, Payain, Payew, Payya, Pfovashi, Phaizong, Phaya, Phuya, Pohon ceri himalaya, Sour cherry, Takpa, Tall Pot cherry, Vashi

Synonyms

Prunus puddum Roxb. ex Brandis non Miq.; Prunus campanulata Maxim.; Cerasus cerasoides (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) S. Ya. Sokolov; Cerasus phoshia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don; Cerasus puddum Roxb. ex DC; Maddenis pedicellata Hook.f.;