Prunus salicifolia
| Prunus salicifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 82' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus salicifolia (common name: capulin 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, growing well on limestone[3][4][1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much is present[5]. Plants are not exacting in their soil requirements, succeeding in poor soils and in clays[4]. Requires a sunny position[3].
Plants have tolerated temperatures down to about -22°c in Massachusetts, N. America[4].
This species is closely related to P. serotina, but it has larger edible fruits[3].
A fast growing and vigorous species, it can fruit in its third year from seed[4].
Trees have a very low chilling requirement and are adapted to grow in warm winter areas where true cherries are unable to fruit[6]. They are cultivated in C. America, from Mexico to Peru, for their edible fruit. There are some named varieties[6][4]. 'Ecuadorian' has large sweet fruit and is a heavy cropper[1]. 'Fausto' has large sweet fruit and is a good cropper. 'Harriet' is a dwarf tree with large fruit[1]. 'Hauchi Grande' has large mild-flavoured fruit and is a very heavy cropper[1].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[7].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Southern N. America - Mexico to S. America - Peru.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[8][9]. Thin skinned with a juicy sub-acid to sweet flesh but a slightly astringent aftertaste[6][4]. They can be eaten out of hand or used in preserves, pies etc[6]. The juice is often mixed with cornmeal to make a cake[10]. The fruit is about 17mm in diameter and contains one large seed[1].
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[11].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[11].
Wood - hard, insect resistant. Used for furniture, musical instruments etc, It is also a good fuel[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
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. capollin. P. capuli. P. serotina salicifolia.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 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 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Popenoe, Hugh. Lost Crops of the Incas. National Academy Press, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.