Mahaleb cherry
Prunus mahaleb

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A spreading deciduous tree. It grows about 12 m high. The leaves are 6 cm long and oval. They have fine teeth around the edge. The leaves are bright green. The flowers are single and white. The fruit is green and 10 mm across. The fruit ripen to black. The kernels are light brown. They are tear shaped and 5 mm long. They are creamy-white inside.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows in northern China. In Argentina it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bosnia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Croatia, Europe, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The husked kernels are used as a spice. They are used to flavour bread, biscuits, cakes and pastries. They are also used to make a herbal tea. The seeds are used to flavour cheese. The fruit can be used cooked in pies. The leaves are used to flavour sauces.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, spice, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Cerecino, Cerezo sta. Rosa, Gilas, Guindal bravia, Guindera silvestre, Mahlab, Mahleb, Perfumed cherry, Raseljka, Rešeljika, St Lucie Cherry

Synonyms

Cerasus mahaleb Mill.; Padellus mahaleb (L.) Vass.; and others