Prunus cerasus L.

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Rosaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Prunus cerasus L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Tree to 10 m, usually with broadly rounded crown; lvs ovate-elliptic to obovate, 5–9 cm, acute, soon glabrous beneath, serrate or doubly serrate, the teeth usually wider than high, rounded, with a gland near the sinus; fls several in a sessile umbel, on pedicels 2–3 cm; sep glabrous; pet 10–15 mm; fr globose, 1.5–2 cm, bright red, tart; stone subglobose; 2n=32. A cultigen thought to be derived by hybridization of P. avium with P. fruticosa; occasionally escaped from cult. in our range.

  • Common Names

    sour cherry, pie-cherry