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Prunus serotina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Black cherry" redirects here. For other uses, see Black Cherry (disambiguation).

Prunus serotina

Flowers and leaves

Scientific classification

Kingdom:

Plantae

(unranked):

Angiosperms

(unranked):

Eudicots

(unranked):

Rosids

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Genus:

Prunus

Subgenus:

Padus[1]

Species:

P. serotina

Binomial name

Prunus serotina
Ehrh.

Natural range of Prunus serotina

Prunus serotina, commonly called black cherry, wild black cherry, rum cherry,[2] or mountain
black cherry, is a woody plant species belonging to the genusPrunus. This cherry is native to
eastern North America: from eastern Canada through southern Quebec and Ontario; south through
the eastern United States toTexas and central Florida; with disjunct populations in Arizona and New
Mexico; and in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala.[3][4]

Immature fruit

Closeup of mature bark

Closeup of immature bark

A mature black cherry can easily be identified in a forest by its very broken, dark grey to black bark,
which has the appearance of very thick, burnt cornflakes. However, for about the first decade or so
of its life, the bark is thin, smooth, and striped, resembling that of a birch. It can also quickly be
identified by its long, shiny leaves resembling those of a sourwood, and by an almond-like odor
released when a young twig is scratched and held close to the nose. [5][6]
Contents
[hide]

1 Subspecies

2 Ecology and cultivation

3 Biochemistry

4 Uses

5 See also

6 References

Subspecies[edit]
The two subspecies of Prunus serotina:[7]

P. s. subsp. serotina - Canada, United States

P. s. subsp. capuli (Cav.) McVaugh Mexico, Guatemala

The typical subsp. P. s. serotina is sometimes further divided into four varieties, var. serotina in the
east of the range, var.eximia in Texas, and vars. rufula and virens in Arizona, New Mexico and
Texas.[4]
Black cherry is closely related to the chokecherry (Prunus virginiana); chokecherry, however, is
classified as a shrub or small tree and has smaller, less glossy leaves

Ecology and cultivation[edit]

P. serotina is a pioneer species. In the Midwest, it is seen growing mostly in old fields with other
sunlight-loving species, such as black walnut, black locust, and hackberry. Gleason and Cronquist
(1991) describe P. serotina as "[f]ormerly a forest tree, now abundant as a weed-tree of roadsides,
waste land, and forest-margins." [8] It is a moderately long-lived tree, with ages of up to 258 years
known, though it is prone to storm damage, with branches breaking easily; any decay resulting,
however, only progresses slowly. Seed production begins around 10 years of age, but does not
become heavy until 30 years and continues up to 100 years. Germination rates are high, and the
seeds are widely dispersed by birds who eat the fruit and then excrete them. Some seeds however
may remain in the soil bank and not germinate for as long as three years. AllPrunus species have
hard seeds that benefit from scarification to germinate (which in nature is produced by passing
through an animal's digestive tract).[3]

Autumn foliage

P. serotina is also a host of caterpillars of various Lepidoptera (see List of Lepidoptera which feed
on Prunus). The eastern tent caterpillar defoliates entire groves some springs.

Black knot infection

P. serotina was widely introduced into Western and Central Europe as an ornamental tree[9] in the
mid 20th century,[10][11]where it has become locally naturalized.[9] It has acted as an invasive
species there, negatively affecting forest communitybiodiversity and regeneration.[12]
P. s. subsp. capuli was cultivated in Central and South America well before European contact. [13]

Biochemistry[edit]
Like apricots, the seeds of black cherries contain compounds that can be converted into cyanide,
such as amygdalin.[14][15]These compounds release hydrogen cyanide when the seed is ground or
minced, which releases enzymes that break down the compounds. These enzymes
include amygdalin beta-glucosidase, prunasin beta-glucosidase and mandelonitrile lyase.[16] In
contrast, although the flesh of cherries also contain these compounds, they do not contain the
enzymes needed to produce cyanide, so the flesh is safe to eat. [17]
The foliage, particularly when wilted, contains cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to hydrogen
cyanide if eaten by animals.[18] Farmers are recommended to remove any trees that fall in a field
containing livestock, because the wilted leaves could poison the animals. Removal is not always
practical, though, because they often grow in very large numbers on farms, taking advantage of the
light brought about by mowing and grazing. Entire fencerows can be lined with this poisonous tree,
making it difficult to monitor all the branches falling into the grazing area. Black cherry is a leading
cause of livestock illness, and grazing animals' access to it should be limited.

Uses[edit]
The fruit of Prunus serotina is suitable for making jam and cherry pies,[19] and has some use in
flavoring liqueurs; they are also a popular flavoring for sodas and ice creams. The black cherry is
commonly used instead of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) to achieve a sharper taste. It is also used
in cakes which include dark chocolate, such as a Black Forest gateau and as garnishes for cocktails.
[citation needed]

The wood of P. serotina is also used for cooking and smoking foods, where it imparts a unique flavor.
P. serotina timber is valuable; perhaps the premier cabinetry timber of the U.S., traded as "cherry". It
is known for its strong red color and high price. Its density when dried is around
580 kg/m3 (980 lb/cu yd).[20]
P. serotina trees are sometimes planted ornamentally.

See also[edit]
Trees portal

Cherry Grove, New York, named for P. serotina, which is indigenous to the area

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^ Rehder, A. 1940, reprinted 1977. Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs hardy in North America
exclusive of the subtropical and warmer temperate regions. Macmillan publishing Co., Inc, New York.

2.

Jump up^ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (XLS) on 201502-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.

3.

^ Jump up to:a b Marquis, D. A. (undated). U.S. Forest Service Silvics Manual: Prunus serotina Ehrh. - Black
Cherry

4.

^ Jump up to:a b USDA Plants Profile: NCRS: Prunus serotina

5.

Jump up^ This odor is the result of minute amounts of cyanide compounds produced and stored by the plant
as a defense mechanism against herbivores. [1][dead link]

6.

Jump up^ "VT Forest Biology and Dendrology". Cnr.vt.edu. Retrieved 2012-10-22.

7.

Jump up^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Prunus serotina

8.

Jump up^ Gleason, Henry A. and Arthur Cronquist. 1991. "Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United
States and Adjacent Canada, Second Edition." The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, New York. 910 pp.

9.

^ Jump up to:a b Flora of NW Europe: Prunus serotina

10.

Jump up^ Starfinger U. 1997. Introduction and naturalization of Prunus serotina in Central Europe. In: Plant
Invasions: Studies from North America and Europe (eds by J.H. Brock, M. Wade, P.Pysek, D. Green). Backhuys Publ.
Leiden: 161-171.

11.

Jump up^ Kalina M. Nowakowska, Aleksandra Halarewicz (2006). "Coleoptera found on neophyte Prunus
serotina (Ehrh.) within forest community and open habitat" (PDF). Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities,
Biology, Volume 9, Issue 1.