Status:
valid
Authors:
Ehrh.
Source:
rjp
Year:
1784
Citation Micro:
Gartenkalender 3: 285. 1784 [4 Aug 1783-17 May 1784]
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000995988
Common Names
- Serotina cherry
- Serotina bird cherry
- Wild African cherry
Description
Prunus serotina (also called Black Cherry, among many other common names) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to North America. It grows to a height of 15-20 meters and has a dense, spreading crown. Its bark is dark grey and its leaves are ovate-lanceolate, glossy and dark green. It is found in moist temperate forests and scrublands.
Uses & Benefits
Prunus serotina is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. The fruits are edible and can be used to make jams and jellies. The wood is used for furniture and other woodworking projects.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Prunus serotina sub. capuli (Cav. ex Spreng.) McVaugh
Prunus serotina var. salicifolia Koehne
Prunus serotina var. rufula (Wooton & Standl.) McVaugh
Prunus serotina sub. virens (Wooton & Standl.) McVaugh
Prunus serotina sub. hirsuta (Elliott) McVaugh
Prunus serotina sub. eximia (Small) McVaugh
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Prunus serotina has white flowers with five petals and yellow anthers. The seeds are small and brown, and the seedlings have oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges.
Cultivation and Propagation
Prunus serotina is a large deciduous tree that can reach up to 30 m in height. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in the spring in a cold frame and cuttings taken in the summer.
Where to Find Prunus serotina
Prunus serotina is native to North America, from Ontario east to Nova Scotia and south to Florida and Texas.
Species in the Prunus genus
Prunus topkegolensis,
Prunus taplejungnica,
Prunus pensylvanica,
Prunus sachalinensis,
Prunus nipponica,
Prunus yedoensis,
Prunus gondouinii,
Prunus humilis,
Prunus domestica,
Prunus ferganica,
Prunus fruticans,
Prunus prostrata,
Prunus lannesiana,
Prunus campanulata,
Prunus simonii,
Prunus ussuriensis,
Prunus undulata,
Prunus grayana,
Prunus velutina,
Prunus cornuta,
Prunus napaulensis,
Prunus pedunculata,
Prunus mongolica,
Prunus davidiana,
Prunus kansuensis,
Prunus dasycarpa,
Prunus pygeoides,
Prunus szechuanica,
Prunus setulosa,
Prunus caudata,
Prunus cercocarpifolia,
Prunus argentea,
Prunus moldavica,
Prunus stepposa,
Prunus tadzhikistanica,
Prunus vachuschtii,
Prunus ssiori,
Prunus ravenii,
Prunus douglasii,
Prunus brachybotrya,
Prunus salicifolia,
Prunus samydoides,
Prunus petunnikowii,
Prunus sargentii,
Prunus juddii,
Prunus guatemalensis,
Prunus canescens,
Prunus eminens,
Prunus armeniaca,
Prunus bifrons,
Species in the Rosaceae family
Acaena macrocephala,
Acaena antarctica,
Acaena argentea,
Acaena boliviana,
Acaena buchananii,
Acaena echinata,
Acaena agnipila,
Acaena cylindristachya,
Acaena confertissima,
Acaena eupatoria,
Acaena integerrima,
Acaena leptacantha,
Acaena ovina,
Acaena magellanica,
Acaena masafuerana,
Acaena patagonica,
Acaena tenera,
Acaena platyacantha,
Acaena pumila,
Acaena splendens,
Acaena stricta,
Acaena stangii,
Acaena trifida,
Acaena pallida,
Acaena caespitosa,
Acaena saccaticupula,
Acaena subincisa,
Acaena hirsutula,
Acaena fissistipula,
Acaena glabra,
Acaena tesca,
Acaena juvenca,
Acaena emittens,
Acaena dumicola,
Acaena profundeincisa,
Acaena minor,
Acaena alpina,
Acaena montana,
Acaena myriophylla,
Acaena poeppigiana,
Acaena anserovina,
Acaena sericea,
Acaena latebrosa,
Acaena sarmentosa,
Acaena elongata,
Acaena exigua,
Acaena rorida,
Acaena novae-zelandiae,
Acaena pinnatifida,
Acaena inermis,