Practical
Plants

Prunus emarginata

Bitter Cherry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Prunus genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Prunus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[7]. Intensely bitter[1][2][12][13]. Some native North American Indian tribes saw the fruit as a great delicacy and an important food source, though others only ate it occasionally because of its bitter taste[10]. The fruit is 8 - 15mm in diameter with a thick flesh, and contains one large seed[7]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Bitter cherry was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[10]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The bark is blood purifier, cardiac, laxative and tonic[10]. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and eczema[10]. A decoction of the root and inner bark has been taken daily as a treatment for heart troubles[10]. An infusion of the bark, combined with crab apple bark (Malus spp) has been used as a cure-all tonic in treating colds and various other ailments[10]. The bark, stuck on with resin, has been used as a dressing for wounds, swellings etc[6][10]. An infusion of the rotten wood has been used as a contraceptive[10]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[8].

Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Plaster
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[4]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[4]. The bark is used to ornament baskets and is also split into strips and used for making baskets that are watertight and resist decay[13][10]. The bark is both strong and flexible as well as being ornamental[10]. The thin outer bark can be peeled off the tree in the same way as birch trees[6]. It has been used to make baskets, mats, ropes and as an ornament on bows, arrows etc[6][10]. The bark can also be made into a string[10]. Wood - close-grained, soft, brittle[12]. It is sometimes used for furniture because it takes a high polish[7]. An excellent fuel[13].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
String
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to California and New Mexico.
Habitat
Moist woods or by watercourses in grassland and sagebrush desert at medium elevations in mountains[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[5]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[5]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[2][5]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[5]. Layering in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[2][5]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[1]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[2][5]. This species is unable to tolerate much shade competition from other trees[7]. A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[7]. The flowers diffuse a soft honey scent[9]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[8]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  11. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  12. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

  13. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page