We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Prunus cerasus - L.

Common Name Sour Cherry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
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.
Habitats Hedges in S. England[17].
Range S.E. Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Prunus cerasus Sour Cherry


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koeh-113.jpg
Prunus cerasus Sour Cherry
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Prazak

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Prunus cerasus is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cerasus communis. C. vulgaris.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Gum  Gum  Oil  Oil  Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 2, 5, 11, 12]. Pleasantly acid, the fruit can be eaten out of hand, used in pies, preserves etc or dried for later use[183]. The fruit is about 18mm in diameter and contains one large seed[200]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[46, 61]. When refined it is used as a salad oil[183]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[46, 61, 183]. A gum obtained from the trunk is used for chewing[61, 64].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Bitter  Febrifuge  Nervine  Salve

The bark is astringent, bitter and febrifuge[240]. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of fevers, coughs and colds[257]. The root bark has been used as a wash for old sores and ulcers[257]. The seed is nervine[240]. 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[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Adhesive  Dye  Gum  Gum  Hedge  Hedge  Oil  Oil  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: Plants can be grown as a hedge[50 ], succeeding in fairly exposed positions[K ]. An excellent nectar plant, yielding both nectar and pollen[74 ]. Other Uses: An edible drying oil obtained from the seed is also used in cosmetics[61 ]. Seeds contain an almond -flavoured fatty oil (24 - 35%) which rapidly becomes more bitter; this is used in the manufacture of soap and is suitable for burning. The oil contains a large quantity of amygdalin[74 ]. The stones are used as well: according to American data, 1,000 tons of stones yields 448 tons of kernels which can yield to 96,235.5 kg (95,563 liters) of syrup, 22,736 liters of spirits, 338,130 liters qf gum, 200 tons of powder, 3 tons of essential oil, and 4.134 tons of fatty oil[74 ]. The gum obtained from the stem can be used as an adhesive[61 , 64 ]. It is used in the manufacture of cloth[74 ] (as a size?). A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[168 ]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168 ]. The plant can be used as a rootstock for cultivated cherries[74 ]. The plant is used in breeding programmes for the sweet cherry. The bark contains 5 - 7% tannins, including some quercetin[74 ]. The yellowish red wood is compact, rather heavy. It is suitable for use in woodwork and lathework for making pipes, cigarette holders, hoops for barrels etc[74 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[11, 200]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[1]. Prefers an acid soil according to another report[5]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[11, 200]. Plants are succeeding in a fairly exposed maritime position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall[K]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[184]. Long cultivated for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties[1, 50]. See separate entries for the various sub-species[K]. It is also a parent, with P. avium, of many cultivars of sweet cherries[1, 17]. Many cultivars will succeed on a north or east facing wall[219]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[238]. Plants produce suckers freely[184]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[200]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[200]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[113]. 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[113]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering in spring. Division of suckers during the dormant season. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Prunus africanaPygeumTree18.0 10-12 FLMNM052
Prunus alabamensisAlabama CherryTree8.0 -  LMHSNM211
Prunus alleghaniensisAllegheny Plum, Davis' plumTree3.5 4-8 FLMHSNM312
Prunus americanaAmerican Plum, American Wild Plum, Wild PlumTree6.0 3-8 MLMHSNM323
Prunus americana lanata Tree10.0 3-7  LMHSNM312
Prunus andersoniiDesert PeachShrub1.8 -  LMHSNM221
Prunus angustifoliaChickasaw Plum, Watson's plum, Hally Jolivette CherryTree3.0 5-9 MLMHSNM313
Prunus angustifolia watsoniiSand PlumShrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNM412
Prunus apetalaClove CherryShrub7.0 -  LMHSNM211
Prunus arabica Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM212
Prunus armeniacaApricotTree9.0 5-7 MLMSNM434
Prunus armeniaca mandschuricaManchurian apricotTree6.0 3-9 MLMSNM433
Prunus aviumWild Cherry, Sweet cherryTree18.0 3-7 FLMHSNM424
Prunus besserianaDwarf AlmondTree0.0 -  LMHSNM212
Prunus besseyiWestern Sand CherryShrub1.2 3-6 MLMHSNM412
Prunus bifrons Shrub1.8 -  LMHSNM211
Prunus bokharensisBokhara PlumTree0.0 -  LMHSNM211
Prunus brigantinaBriançon ApricotTree6.0 6-9  LMHSNDM412
Prunus buergeriana Tree9.0 4-8  LMHSNM211
Prunus campanulataTaiwan CherryTree7.0 7-9 MLMHSNM211
Prunus canescensGreyleaf CherryShrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNM312
Prunus capsica Tree0.0 -  LMHSNM211
Prunus carolinianaAmerican Cherry Laurel, Carolina laurelcherry, Laurel Cherry,Shrub12.0 7-10 FLMHSNDM213
Prunus cerasiferaCherry Plum, Myrobalan Plum, Newport Cherry Plum, Pissard PlumTree9.0 5-8 MLMHSNM413
Prunus cerasifera divaricata Tree10.0 4-8  LMHSNM411
Prunus cerasoidesWild Himalayan CherryTree30.0 7-10  LMHSNM222
Prunus cerasus austeraMorello CherryTree9.0 3-7  LMHSNM313
Prunus cerasus capronianaKentish Red CherryTree9.0 3-7  LMHSNM313
Prunus cerasus frutescensBush Sour CherryTree1.0 3-7  LMHSNM313
12345

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Thu Aug 24 2006

Surprixed to see the edibility rating on this one is 1! It's one of my favorite snack fruits, with it's pleasant cranberry-sour edge.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Prunus cerasus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.