Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Prunus avium
|
| Common Names: |
sweet cherry; Wild Cherry; Gean; Mazzard
|
| Key Name: |
Sweet Cherry
|
| Parts Used: |
Bark, fruit, leaves
|
| Sister Plants: |
Prunus cerasus, Prunus serotina, Prunus padus
|
| Comments: |
Valued fruit tree with significant pollinator support; widely cultivated globally
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Rosales |
| Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus |
Prunus |
| Species |
avium |
NCBI Tax ID |
42229
|
| Organism |
Prunus avium
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Medium to large tree (30-60 ft), reddish-brown Bark with lenticels, serrated oval Leaves, white flowers in clusters, dark red to black cherries
|
| Stem: |
Reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels, peeling in mature trees
|
| Leaves: |
Oval, serrated, 2-5 inches, glossy green turning yellow in fall
|
| Flowers: |
White, 5-petaled flowers in clusters, blooming April-May
|
| Fruit: |
Dark red to black cherries, 1-2 cm, ripening June-July
|
| Taste: |
Sweet to slightly tart (fruit), Bitter (Bark)
|
| Odour: |
Mildly fragrant flowers, woody Bark scent
|
| Root: |
Deep, spreading root system; supports soil structure
|
| Image: |
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
GBIF — CC BY-NC
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
Prunus avium
Wikipedia — Wikimedia
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
GBIF — CC BY-NC
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
Prunus avium
Wikipedia — Wikimedia
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
GBIF — CC BY-NC
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa; naturalized worldwide
|
| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full Sun; propagate by seed or grafting
|
| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from pruned branches; Fruit: Early summer
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Sedative
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Digestive issues, Urinary tract health, and mild sedation; Bark as a cough remedy
|
| Constituents: |
Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="27" title="AnthoCyanins">AnthoCyanins, Coumarins, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="106" title="amygdalin (amygdalin)">amygdalin (in bark), Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="33" title="Vitamin C">Vitamin C
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (Tincture), glycerin
|
| Dosage: |
Bark Tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily; Fruit: 10-20 cherries daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: Tincture or syrup; External: Poultice for inflammation
|
| Formulas: |
Combine with licorice for cough syrup; with chamomile for sedation
|
| Contra Indications: |
Bark contains amygdalin (cyanide risk if overused); avoid in Pregnancy; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
Tincture: Steep 1 part Bark in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks; Syrup: Simmer Bark with honey and water
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for coughs or wound poultices in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
1
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, visited by bees for pollen
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Attracts bees for nectar, supports pollinator health
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for furniture, ornamental planting, wildlife habitat
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Fruit eaten fresh, dried, or in preserves; Bark in teas
|
| History: |
Used in European folk medicine for centuries; Bark in cough syrups since antiquity
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; European Herbal Traditions
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+avium
|
| Share: |
Private
|