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].

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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].

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