Prunus cerasoides

Prunus cerasoides
Oriental white-eye in a wild Himalayan cherry
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Cerasus
Species: P. cerasoides
Binomial name
Prunus cerasoides
D.Don[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Prunus majestica Koehne
  • Prunus puddum Franch.

Prunus cerasoides, called the wild Himalayan cherry and sour cherry,[3] is a deciduous cherry tree found in East Asia. It is of the family Rosaceae and the genus Prunus.

Its range extends in the Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh in north-central India, to Southwest China, Burma and Thailand. It grows in the temperate forests from 1,200–2,400 metres (3,900–7,900 ft) in elevation.

Description

Prunus cerasoides is a tree which grows up to 30 metres (98 ft) in height. It has glossy, ringed bark. When the tree is not in flower, it is characterised by glossy, ringed bark and long, dentate stipules.

The tree flowers in autumn and winter. Flowers are hermaphroditic and are pinkish white in color. It has ovoid yellow fruit that turns red as it ripens.

Uses

Cultivation

Prunus cerasoides is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The tree thrives in well-drained and moisture-retentive loamy soil, in an open, sunny, and sheltered location.

P. cerasoides, like most members of the Prunus genus, is shallow rooted and is likely to produce suckers if the root is damaged. It is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. It is known to be susceptible to honey fungus.

The seed requires two to three months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as early in winter as possible. The seed grows rather slowly and can sometimes take about 18 months to germinate depending on the conditions.

Food

Other uses

The fruits and the leaves give a dark green dye. Seeds can be used in the manufacture of necklaces.

The wood is hard, strong, durable and aromatic, and branches are used as walking sticks.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prunus cerasoides.

References

  1. "Plant Name Details for Prunus cerasoides D.Don". IPNI . Retrieved September 16, 2009.
  2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  3. GRIN. "Prunus cerasoides information from NPGS/GRIN". Taxonomy for Plants. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved January 24, 2014.