Prunus serrula
Birch Bark Cherry

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Fruit^[1]^[2]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter and contains one large seed^[3]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

Used as a rootstock^[2].

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves^[4].

A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit^[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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^[5].

There are no medicinal uses listed for Prunus serrula.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Rootstock

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe^[3]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible^[3]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate^[6]. 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^[7]^[3]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame^[3].

Layering in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Prunus serrula. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil^[7]^[3]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present^[8]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position^[7]^[3].

The plant is sometimes cultivated for its use as a rootstock, there are some named varieties^[2]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged^[5].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus^[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Prunus serrula. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Prunus serrula.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

? ^1.0^1.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1^2.2^2.3^2.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3^3.4^3.5^3.6^3.7^3.8^3.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1^4.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
? ^5.0^5.1^5.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
? ^7.0^7.1^7.2^7.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-109" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

[PFAFimport-177-1] ? ^1.0^1.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-183-2] ? ^2.0^2.1^2.2^2.3^2.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)

[PFAFimport-200-3] ? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3^3.4^3.5^3.6^3.7^3.8^3.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-168-4] ? ^4.0^4.1^4.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)

[PFAFimport-238-5] ? ^5.0^5.1^5.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)

[PFAFimport-113-6] ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)

[PFAFimport-11-7] ? ^7.0^7.1^7.2^7.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-1-8] ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

[PFAFimport-266-9] ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

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Article is incomplete	Yes +
Article requires citations	No +
Article requires cleanup	Yes +
Belongs to family	Rosaceae +
Belongs to genus	Prunus +
Functions as	Rootstock +
Has binomial name	Prunus serrula +
Has common name	Birch Bark Cherry +
Has drought tolerance	Intolerant +
Has edible part	Fruit + and Seed +
Has edible use	Unknown use +
Has fertility type	Insects +
Has flowers of type	Hermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone	5 +
Has lifecycle type	Perennial +
Has material part	Unknown part +
Has material use	Dye +
Has mature height	10 +
Has mature width	10 +
Has search name	prunus serrula + and birch bark cherry +
Has shade tolerance	Light shade +
Has soil ph preference	Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preference	Sandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preference	Well drained +
Has sun preference	Full sun +
Has taxonomic rank	Species +
Has taxonomy name	Prunus serrula +
Has water requirements	moderate +
Inhabits ecosystem niche	Canopy + and Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreen	Deciduous +
Is herbaceous or woody	Woody +
Is taxonomy type	Species +
PFAF cultivation notes migrated	No +
PFAF edible use notes migrated	No +
PFAF material use notes migrated	No +
PFAF medicinal use notes migrated	No +
PFAF propagation notes migrated	No +
PFAF toxicity notes migrated	No +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soil	No +
Uses mature size measurement unit	Meters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.	Prunus serrula +, Prunus serrula + and Prunus serrula +