Prunus cerasus

Prunus cerasus (sour cherry, tart cherry, or dwarf cherry) is an Old World species of Prunus in the subgenus Cerasus (cherries). It has two main groups of cultivars: the dark-red Morello cherry and the lighter-red Amarelle cherry. The sour pulp is edible.

Description

A small deciduous tree. It grows 2-8 m high. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is purple-brown and has orange lenticels across it. The leaves are oval and have a blunt point. They are 7.5 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are double toothed. The leaf stalks are without glands and are hairless. The buds are cone shaped. They are shiny reddish-brown. The flowers are white and in small long stalked clusters. These are on short leafy shoots. The flowers are 2 cm across. The fruit are 2 cm across. They are bright red to black.

Edible Uses

The fruit is pleasantly acid, about 18mm in diameter with one large seed, and can be eaten fresh, used in pies and preserves, or dried for later use. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked, though it should be avoided if it tastes too bitter; it also yields an edible oil that, once refined, can be used as a salad oil. The leaves make a serviceable tea substitute, and a gum obtained from the trunk is used for chewing.

Traditional Uses

Fruit can be eaten raw. They are acidic. They are often cooked into pies, preserves, puddings, and canned. They produce a colourless juice. The seeds yield an oil used in salads. The crushed seeds in a muslin bag are used to flavour jam. The fruit are candied (crystallised) and also preserved in syrup or brandy. They are processed into jam. They are used for cherry brandy and liqueurs. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea. They are also added to lacto-fermented cucumbers. And used for flavouring in pickles.

Medicinal Uses

The bark is astringent, bitter, and febrifuge. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat fevers, coughs, and colds. Root bark has been used as a wash for old sores and ulcers. The seed is nervine. Like all members of the genus, this species contains amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid or cyanide). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion, and gives a sense of well-being.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Distribution

It is a cold temperate plant. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-3,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, East Africa, Ecuador, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Moldova, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. Prefers an acid soil according to another report. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Plants are succeeding in a fairly exposed maritime position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. Long cultivated for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. See separate entries for the various sub-species. It is also a parent, with P. avium, of many cultivars of sweet cherries. Many cultivars will succeed on a north or east facing wall. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants produce suckers freely. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base.

Propagation

Seed requires 2–3 months of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible, with protection from mice. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking 18 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter in a greenhouse or cold frame, then plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from vigorous plants can be taken in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering can be done in spring. Suckers can be divided during the dormant season and planted directly into permanent positions.

Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge, tolerating fairly exposed positions, and serve as an excellent nectar plant, yielding both nectar and pollen. The seed also yields a drying oil used in cosmetics. The kernels contain an almond-flavoured fatty oil (24–35%) used in soap manufacture and suitable for burning, though it contains a large quantity of amygdalin and becomes more bitter over time. According to American data, 1,000 tons of stones yields 448 tons of kernels, which can produce 96,235.5 kg (95,563 litres) of syrup, 22,736 litres of spirits, 338,130 litres of gum, 200 tons of powder, 3 tons of essential oil, and 4.134 tons of fatty oil. The gum from the stem functions as an adhesive and is used in cloth manufacture. Green dye can be obtained from the leaves, and a dark grey to green dye from the fruit. The plant is used as a rootstock for cultivated cherries and in sweet cherry breeding programmes. The bark contains 5–7% tannins, including some quercetin. The yellowish-red wood is compact, fairly heavy, and suitable for woodwork and lathework including pipes, cigarette holders, and barrel hoops.

Production

Fruit are often mechanically harvested by shaking.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Alubali, Amareno, Cereza acida, Cerazo, Cerise aigre, Ciliegia acida, Dwarf cherry, Gilas, Ginja garrafal, Griotte, Guinda, Guindo, Jera-sayna, Kentish cherry, Kirsebaer, Kirsipuu, Marasco, Olchi, Red cherry, Sanka outou, Sauerkirsche, Suan gui ying tao, Tart cherry, Ulchi, Vadmeggy, Visnja, Weichsel

References (65)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1480 (As Prunus vulgaris)
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 494
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 146
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 841
• Bussman, R. W., et al, 2016, A comparative ethnobotany of Khevsureti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Tusheti, Svaneti, and Racha-Lechkhumi, Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelo), Caucasus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.

More from Rosaceae

Neillia sinensis

Neillia thyrsiflora

Oemleria cerasiformis - (Torr.&A.Gray.)Greene.

Oso Berry, Indian plum

Osteomeles anthyllidifolia

Ulei, Hawaii hawthorn

🌱

Osteomeles lanuginosa

Coca coca

Osteomeles obtusifolia