Mountain cherry, Prostrate cherry
Prunus prostrata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A low spreading shrub. It has many twigs. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows flat on the ground or forms small hummocks. The young twigs have fine hairs. The leaves are narrowly oblong. They have sharp teeth. They have grey hairs underneath. The flowers are bright pink and 12-15 mm across. The mostly occur singly. The fruit is a small cherry. It is red when ripe and 8 mm across.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows on rocky and exposed places in hills and mountains. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Europe, India, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aberqouk immissawn, Belaluk, Fikt, Gilgit, Horisme, Kalam, Swat

Synonyms

Cerasus prostrata (Labill.) Ser.;