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Wild Black Cherry Prunus serotina var. serotina

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus se-roh-TEE-nuh se-roh-TEE-nuh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Eastern Black Cherry a native deciduous tree that is the eastern variety of P. serotina found in open forested areas, rich coves, dry to mesic habitats of lower elevation, woodland edges, savanahs and areas with adequate sunlight. This plant has a low soil compaction tolerance but is heat tolerant. This plant grows best in natural areas and is a common host for the Tent Caterpillar.

Eastern Black Cherry provides food for many many types of birds and mammals and is a host plant to many moths and butterflies.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#heat tolerant#white flowers#native tree#showy fruits#NC native#red fruits#pollinator plant#black fruits#larval host plant#deciduous tree#purple fruits#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#heat tolerant#white flowers#native tree#showy fruits#NC native#red fruits#pollinator plant#black fruits#larval host plant#deciduous tree#purple fruits#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    serotina
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood is used in furniture making and prized for its red color.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Wildlife Value:
    This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Fruits eaten by many birds and mammals. Host plant to many butterflies and moths.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 90 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available July-August and ripen from green to red to black.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    White flowers in racemes any time from from April-May appear after leaves emerge.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green simple alternate, oblecolate to ovate leaves with crenate to serrate margins, acuminate tips and cuneate bases.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    All parts but the fruits are poisonus. gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, panting, shock.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin, prussic acid.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems