Prunus cerasoides
| Prunus cerasoides | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 98' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus cerasoides (common name: wild himalayan cherry)
Propagation: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[3][1].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[1].
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[3][1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[4]. Requires an open sunny sheltered position[5].
Not very hardy in Britain[4] but it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[5].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[6].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Himachel Pradesh to S.W. China and Burma.
Habitat: Forests, 1200 - 2400 metres[7]. Forests in ravines at elevations of 700 - 3700 metres in western China[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[7][9][10][11]. Acid and astringent, they are only occasionally eaten raw but are more often cooked[12]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter and contains one large seed[1].
Gum - chewed. Obtained from the trunk, it can be employed as a substitute for gum tragacanth[12], see Astragalus spp.
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: The fruit is astringent[11].
The juice of the bark is applied externally to treat backaches[11].
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[6].
Usage: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[13].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[13].
The seeds are used as beads in necklaces and rosaries[7][14][10][11].
Wood - moderately hard, strong, durable, aromatic[10]. The branches are used as walking sticks[7][14][10][11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and
Also Known As: P. puddum. Kingdon-Ward.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.