Cherry, plum (Prunus cerasifera)
Cherry plum is a broadleaf deciduous tree native to south-east Europe and western Asia, but has naturalised in the UK.
The white flowers appear from late winter into early spring (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
The glossy green leaves have fine hairs underneath (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
The delicate white flowers grow singularly (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
The ripe fruits are a food source for birds (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
Once pollinated the flowers develop into yellow or red fruits that resemble cherries (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
Cherry plum twigs are green and young twigs are covered in fine downy hair (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
Cherry plum bark is dark grey in colour and develops fissures with age (Photo: P Sterry/WTML)
Common name: cherry plum
Scientific name: Prunus cerasifera
Family: Rosaceae
UK provenance: non-native
Interesting fact: the second part of the scientific name, cerasifera, means 'bearing cherry-like fruits'.
What does cherry plum look like?
Overview: it is one of the first prunus species to flower in spring and can grow to eight metres. The bark is dark grey and develops fissures with age, and twigs are green and covered in a fine down when young.
Leaves: green, slender and glossy, with fine hairs on the underside.
Flowers: white, and usually grow singularly in late-winter to early spring.
Fruits: after pollination by insects, the flowers develop into yellow or red cherry-like fruits.
Look out for: the leaf stems (petioles) have two red glands at the top.
Could be confused with: wild cherry (Prunus avium), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) and bird cherry (Prunus padus).
Identified in winter by: buds on winter twigs have very small or indistinct bud scales.
Where to find cherry plum
Native to Europe and Asia, cherry plum is often planted for fruiting hedges.
Value to wildlife
Flowers are attractive to bees and other insects. Birds eat the ripe fruits.
Mythology and symbolism
Cherry plum flowers were used by Dr Edward Bach to create a remedy for people in fear losing control of their behaviour, and are still used in Bach Flower Remedies today.
How we use cherry plum
Cherry plum is often grown as an ornamental tree for its early display of flowers. Young trees are often used as understocks (a root which another plant is grafted on to) for domestic plums.
Threats
Like many trees in the Prunus genus, cherry plum may be susceptible to fungal diseases.
