sour cherry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• morello cherry
• pie cherry
• sour cherry
• tart cherry
• Dwarf Cherry
• Amarelle Cherry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Prunus avium proles acida
• Prunus avium var. caproniana
• Prunus cerasus salicifolia
• Prunus cerasus monstr. semiplena
• Prunus cerasus semperflorens
• Prunus cerasus proles acida
• Prunus cerasus var. persiciflora
• Prunus cerasus f. persiciflora
• Prunus cerasus lusus persiciflora
• Cerasus vulgaris f. persiciflora
• Prunus cerasus f. ranunculiflora
• Cerasus vulgaris var. marasca
• Prunus cerasus f. marasca
• Prunus cerasus subsp. marasca
• Prunus cerasus proles marasca
• Prunus cerasus f. globosa
• Prunus cerasus f. aureovariegata
• Prunus cerasus aureovariegata
• Cerasus vulgaris var. austera
• Prunus marasca
• Prunus avium subsp. cerasus
• Prunus avium proles austera
• Prunus cerasus var. bunyardii
• Prunus cerasus ienensis
• Cerasus semperflorens var. sessiliflora
• Cerasus vulgaris
• Cerasus vulgaris var. acidula
• Cerasus vulgaris var. albidus
• Cerasus vulgaris var. austera
• Cerasus vulgaris var. dulcis
• Cerasus vulgaris var. rhexii
• Cerasus austera
• Cerasus austera multiplex
• Cerasus brevipes
• Cerasus caproniana var. sativa
• Cerasus communis
• Cerasus hortensis
• Cerasus longipes
• Cerasus marasca
• Cerasus semperflorens var. pendula-aurea
• Cerasus caproniana melanocarpa
• Prunus cerasus var. pumila
• Prunus cerasus f. plena
• Cerasus caproniana var. montmenrocyana
• Prunus cerasus var. pumila
• Cerasus caproniana var. multiplex
• Prunus cerasus var. rhexii
• Cerasus caproniana regalis
• Cerasus acida var. rhexii
• Prunus cerasus f. semiplena
• Prunus plena
• Prunus cerasus var. humilis
• Cerasus vulgaris f. plena
• Prunus cerasus proles austera
• Prunus recta
• Cerasus peracida
• Prunus rosea
• Prunus semperflorens
• Cerasus officinarum
• Prunus caproniana f. salicifolia
• Cerasus propera
• Prunus caproniana serotina
• Cerasus semperflorens
• Prunus cerasus var. acida
• Prunus cerasus subsp. acida
• Cerasus vulgaris subsp. acida
• Prunus cerasus f. aureovariegata
• Cerasus vulgaris f. aureovariegata
• Prunus cerasus var. austera
• Prunus cerasus subsp. austera
• Cerasus vulgaris var. caproniana
• Prunus cerasus f. dumosa
• Prunus cerasus var. erythrocarpus
• Cerasus vulgaris subsp. eucerasus
• Cerasus vulgaris f. frutescens
• Cerasus vulgaris var. frutescens
• Prunus cerasus f. frutescens
• Prunus cerasus var. globosa
• Cerasus vulgaris f. rhexii
• Cerasus vulgaris f. semiplena
• Prunus cerasus var. jenensis
• Cerasus vulgaris f. semperflorens
• Prunus cerasus monstr. cucullata
• Cerasus vulgaris f. umbraculifera
• Druparia cerasus
• Prunus cerasus var. caproniana
• Prunus cerasus subsp. caproniana
• Cerasus collina
• Prunus cerasus proles caproniana
• Cerasus collina f. albovariegata
• Prunus cerasus var. marasca
• Cerasus collina f. aureomarginata
• Prunus cerasus var. marasca
• Cerasus conglobata
• Cerasus caproniana
• Cerasus caproniana var. cordigera
• Cerasus caproniana var. erythrocarpa
• Cerasus caproniana var. gobetta
• Prunus cerasus var. plena
• Cerasus caproniana var. griotta
• Prunus cerasus plena
• Prunus cerasus ranunculifera
• Cerasus caproniana var. pallescens
• Cerasus caproniana var. persiciflora
• Prunus cerasus var. ranunculiflora
• Cerasus caproniana var. polygyna
• Prunus cerasus monstr. ranunculiflora
• Prunus cerasus var. recta
• Cerasus caproniana ranunculiflora
• Prunus cerasus f. rhexii
• Prunus cerasus monstr. rhexii
• Prunus cerasus var. rosea
• Prunus cerasus var. salicifolia
• Cerasus caproniana var. variegata
• Prunus cerasus f. salicifolia
• Cerasus avium subsp. acida
• Prunus cerasus var. semperflorens
• Prunus cerasus lusus semperflorens
• Cerasus acida
• Prunus cerasus lusus semperflorens
• Cerasus acida var. cucullata
• Prunus cerasus f. semperflorens
• Cerasus acida plena
• Prunus cerasus var. typica
• Prunus cerasus var. umbraculifera
• Prunus cerasus f. umbraculifera
• Prunus cerasus f. variegata
• Prunus cerasus subsp. vulgaris
• Prunus aestiva
• Prunus acida
• Prunus avium proles semperflorens
• Prunus austera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Prunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. The species can also be found growing within the borders of Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the plant is established in Austria. Finally, its geographical range extends to include Belgium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus cerasus is characterized by its presence in diverse landscapes, primarily occupying forest-steppe and steppe zones, shrubby thickets, steppes, and groves. It is frequently found along the edges of broad-leaved forests and on open dry slopes, where it can adapt to varying levels of vegetation cover. This species thrives within a specific vertical distribution, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 1800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest-steppe and steppe zone, shrubby thickets, steppes, groves, broad-leaved forest edges, open dry slopes

Life history

The life history of Prunus cerasus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated above the ground on woody stems, a trait consistent with both its classification as a phanerophyte and its specific growth habit. This species follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which is a critical component of its physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus cerasus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not require climbing assistance. As a terrestrial species, it lives independently and does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant displays significant variability in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 10 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 6.83 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6.83333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus cerasus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for woody perennials in temperate climates, and it is strictly a non-carnivorous organism. Its foliar architecture is defined by an elliptic leaf form, with morphological dimensions typically featuring a mean leaf length of 6 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 12 cm) and a mean leaf width of 3.8 cm (varying from 1.5 cm to 6 cm). These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 24.23375 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 209.11 cm²/g, reflecting the structural relationship between its leaf surface area and its dry mass, which influences its resource acquisition and gas exchange efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

24.23375 cm²

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.8 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

209.11 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus cerasus is characterized by a sexual process facilitated by biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, during which the plant produces white flowers arranged in umbel inflorescences. These flowers vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, and asexual reproduction is also not present, emphasizing its reliance on cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These red fruits typically measure between 1.2 cm and 1.5 cm in mean length and 1.2 cm to 1.53 cm in mean width, with maximum dimensions reaching 1.5 cm in length and 2 cm in width. The dispersal of the plant follows a zoochorous strategy, specifically endozoochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals. The seeds themselves are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.209 g (ranging from 0.1275 g to 0.205 g), a mean volume of 180 mm³, and a maximum length of 10 mm.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.35 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.52666666666667 cm

Fruit width min:

1.2 cm

Inflorescence :

umbel

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length max:

10 mm

Seed mass max:

0.205 g

Seed mass mean:

0.209217 g

Seed mass min:

0.1275 g

Seed volume max:

180 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Prunus cerasus has 136 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Cyanidin, 2,3-Dihydrowogonin, 2-HEPTANONE, Antirrhinin.

Anthocyanins

1. Nutrients
2. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry

Cyanidin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nutrients

2,3-Dihydrowogonin

1. Dr. Duke

2-HEPTANONE

1. Dr. Duke

Antirrhinin

1. Dr. Duke

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-IONONE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Prunus cerasus has 766 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidifier

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Prunus cerasus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Cellulite, inflammatory bowel diseases.

Cellulite

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Inflammatory bowel diseases

1. Nutrients