Prunus lyonii
| Prunus lyonii | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 33' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Prunus lyonii (common name: catalina island 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]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3][1]. Succeeds in a hot dry position.
This species is not very frost resistant and is only really suitable for the milder areas of the country[3]. It probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1]. Young plants are very susceptible to frost damage, though they become hardier as they age[5].
Closely related to, and hybridizing freely with, P. illicifolia[3][6].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[7].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: South-western N. America - California.
Habitat: Found in all situations from the fertile valleys and canyons at the waters edge up to altitudes of 1,000 metres on the dry interior ridges[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw. A finer flavour than P. ilicifolia, the best forms are said to compare favourably with cultivated sweet cherries[9][10]. The fruits have a tough leathery skin and a very large seed[10]. The fruit itself is fairly large, up to 3cm in diameter, with a thick sweet juicy flesh[11].
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: 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[7].
Usage: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[12].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[12].
Wood - heavy, hard, very close-grained[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
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. ilicifolia occidentalis. Laurocerasus lyonii.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 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 3.2 3.3 3.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.