Prunus avium
Prunus avium
Safety & Hazards
The plant (especially the seed and young shoots) contains cyanogenic glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ]. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted. In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ]. The fruits and flowers of most members of this genus generally have low or very low concentrations of this toxin, though the seeds and young shoots can contain much higher levels. The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- for example sweet tasting almond seeds are a major food crop and are often eaten in quantity, whilst bitter tasting almond seeds are used as a flavouring (in marzipan for example) but are not usually eaten on their own. In general, it can be considered safe to eat any fruit or seed from species in this genus that either have a sweet flavour or are slightly bitter. Great caution should be taken, however, if the flavour is moderately to very bitter[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].
Botanical Description
Prunus avium is an unarmed, deciduous tree with a broadly conical crown; it usually grows 6 - 20 metres tall, occasionally reaching 35 metres. The straight bole can usually reach 50 - 70cm in diameter, exceptionally to 120cm[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 1195 Title European Forest Genetic Resources Programme Publication Author Website http://www.euforgen.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A series of information sheets about the woodland trees of Europe with an excellent depth of treatment. They can be downloaded from the Internet ]. Trees cast a light shade[ 186 Title Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Publication Author Beckett. G. and K. Publisher Jarrold Year 1979 ISBN - Description An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants. ]. Trees produce quite a lot of suckers and can form thickets, especially if the main trunk is felled[ 186 Title Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Publication Author Beckett. G. and K. Publisher Jarrold Year 1979 ISBN - Description An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants. ]. The wild cherry is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials - it produces an attractive, sought-after timber. It is the main parent of the cultivated sweet cherries (see the entry Prunus avium 'Cultivated Forms') that are widely grown in gardens and commercially, and has also been used to develop ornamental cultivars.