Prunus pumila subsp. susquehanae

(Willd.) R. T. Clausen

Dwarf American cherry, Appalachian cherry

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 5,890 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Prunus pumila, commonly called sand cherry, is a North American species of cherry in the rose family. It is widespread in eastern and central Canada from New Brunswick west to Saskatchewan and the northern United States from Maine to Montana, south as far as Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, and Virginia, with a few isolated populations in Tennessee and Utah. It grows in sandy locations such as shorelines and dunes. Prunus pumila is a deciduous shrub that grows to 0.61–1.83 metres (2–6 feet) tall depending on the variety. It forms dense clonal colonies by sprouts from the root system. The leaves are leathery, 4–7 centimetres (1+5⁄8–2+3⁄4 inches) long, with a serrated margin. The flowers are 15–25 millimetres (9⁄16–1 in) in diameter with five white petals and 25–30 stamens. They are produced in small clusters of two to four. The fruit is a small cherry 13–15 mm (1⁄2–9⁄16 in) in diameter, ripening to dark purple in early summer. Varieties Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Bailey) Gleason, western sand cherry (also called Rocky Mountain cherry) – Saskatchewan, Manitoba, western Ontario, south to Colorado and Kansas Prunus pumila var. depressa (Pursh) Gleason, eastern sand cherry – Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick south to Pennsylvania Prunus pumila var. pumila, Great Lakes sand cherry – shores of Great Lakes Prunus pumila var. susquehanae (hort. ex Willd.) Jaeger, Susquehana sand cherry – from Manitoba east to Maine, south to Tennessee Prunus × cistena (purple leaf sand cherry) is a hybrid of Prunus cerasifera (cherry plum) and P. pumila. It was developed by Niels Ebbesen Hansen of South Dakota State University in 1910. They grow to be about 2.1 m (7 ft) tall and can live for up to 20 years.

Description

A deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae family producing small, deep purplish-maroon fruit that are sweet and juicy. It is found in temperate regions.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or used for pies, jams, and fruit sauces. The seeds can be eaten if frozen then cooked to remove toxic components.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw. They can be used for pies, jams and fruit sauces. The seeds need to be frozen then cooked to remove toxic components before eating.

Known Hazards

Seeds contain toxic components and must be frozen then cooked before eating.

Distribution

Temperate.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Notes

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Synonyms

Prunus pumila var. susquehanae (Willd.) H. JaegerPrunus susquehanae Willd.

Also Known As

Sesquehana sandcherry

References (4)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 204
Fisk, J. R. & Hoover, E., 2015, Wild Fruits of Minnesota. A Field Guide. University of Minnesota p 14
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 443
Plants for a Future, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/