Himalayan bird cherry
Prunus cornuta

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It has grey-brown bark. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 2.5-17 cm long by 1-7.5 cm wide. They are oblong to sword shaped. They have long points. They have close, fine teeth. The flowers are white. They occur in long drooping clusters. These can be 10-15 cm long. The flowers are 1 cm across. The fruit is round. It is dark purple or black when ripe. The fruit are 8 mm across. They are acid and edible.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it occurs between 2100-3500 m altitude. It grows in deciduous forest on shady slopes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used in brewing local liquor.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aarupate, Aarya, Arupate, Bart, Dudia, Jamun, Jamu, Jammu, Jamnu, Jamoi, Jamunoi, Jangali khurpani, Kalakat, Mehal, Mokhoshi, Ngourashi, Nyolove, Paras, Shoma, Zambchule

Synonyms

Prunus padus Hook.f. non Linn; Cerasus cornuta Wall ex Royle; Padus cornuta (Wall. ex Royle) Carriere;