We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Prunus alabamensis - C.Mohr.

Common Name Alabama Cherry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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 Rare and local on the summits of low mountains[82].
Range Southern N. America - Georgia and Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Prunus alabamensis Alabama Cherry


Prunus alabamensis Alabama Cherry

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Prunus alabamensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft 3in). It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. serotina alabamensis. (Mohr.)Little. Padus alabamensis. (C.Mohr.)Small.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Seed
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter, it has a thin acid flesh and contains a single large seed[82, K]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

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.


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

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Dye

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[168]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168].

Special Uses

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]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[11, 200]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[238]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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[11, 200]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[200]. Layering in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina)

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 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 cerasusSour CherryTree6.0 3-7  LMHSNM123
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

C.Mohr.

Botanical References

82

Links / References

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

Readers comment

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 alabamensis  
© 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.