Prunus padus
| Prunus padus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 26' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus padus (common name: bird 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.
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood, October/November in a frame.
Suckers removed in late winter.
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil, preferring 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]. Very hardy but it does not like exposure to strong winds[5].
A very hardy tree[4][3], tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[6].
A very ornamental species[4], there are some named varieties[7].
The sub-species P. padus borealis is found in Scandinavia and the mountains of C. Europe. It is a shrub growing only to about 3 metres high[6].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[8]. Trees usually produce lots of suckers and will soon regenerate by this method if the main trunk is cut down[5].
This tree is a host for cereal virus vector[9]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Trees only cast a light shade and do not themselves thrive in heavy shade[5].
The fruits are relished by birds and the flowers and leaves attract many insects.
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia and the Himalayas.
Habitat: By streams and in moist open woods[10], usually on alkaline soils[9] but also found on acid soils in upland areas[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[11][12][13][14]. The fruit usually has a bitter taste and is used mainly for making jam and preserves[3][15]. The fruit is about the size of a pea and contains one large seed[1].
Young leaves - cooked[16]. Used as a boiled vegetable in Korea[15].
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
A tea is made from the bark[15].
Medicinal: The bark is mildly anodyne, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[10][13]. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds, feverish conditions etc[10]. The bark is harvested when the tree is in flower and can be dried for later use[10].
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[8].
Usage: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[17].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[17].
Wood - hard, heavy, durable, easy to work, polishes well. It is much valued by cabinet makers[3][14][18].
Pollinators: Flies, bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seed and leaves contain hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. Usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm, any very bitter seed or fruit should not be
Also Known As: Padus racemosa.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.