Prunus emarginata has been included within Prunus pensylvanica by some botanists. Given that much of the problem of separating the two species arises from intermediate plants that are found in British Columbia and western Montana (where the ranges of the two species meet), this makes some sense from a Canadian perspective. However, when viewed from a continental perspective, Prunus emarginata normally does not look much like Prunus pensylvanica and so the two are treated here as distinct[].
Individuals of Prunus emarginata vary considerably in their habit, size and shape of leaves, and indument on branchlets, inflorescences, and leaves. Many segregate species have been described based on this variation. Most often, one species with two varieties (var emarginata and var mollis) based on habit or indumenta are recognized. Those characters are not well correlated and the species is treated here as one variable entity[].
The taxonomic history of Prunus is long and complicated, in part due to the economic value of its fruit crops and also the ease with which some species hybridize. Here, Prunus is circumscribed in its broad sense based on the argument that when viewed on a worldwide scale, the morphologic discontinuities among the segregate genera diminish and they overlap with one another. Included here are species that have at times been placed in the genera Amygdalus, Armeniaca, Cerasus, Laurocerasus, Padus, and Persica.
At the species level, Prunus has been the object of the usual combining and splitting common among taxonomists with different philosophies and opinions. In particular, over-reliance on the indument of various vegetative and floral parts has led to the naming of numerous species and infraspecific taxa. Similarly, too much has been made of fruit colour and palatability in naming taxa of Prunus. It is very likely that, as molecular and genetic data are analyzed and, more importantly, correlated with morphological data, circumscriptions will be redrawn and the number of Prunus species will be reduced[].

Common Name: Bitter Cherry

General Information

Prunus emarginata is an unarmed, deciduous shrub or a tree growing 1 - 15 metres tall. The bole can be 30cm or more in diameter. The plant often suckers and can form thickets[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Prunus emarginata is a widely distributed species which is considered stable and secure within it's native range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known 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[]. 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[].
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[].

Botanical References

, , ,

Range

Western N. America - British Columbia to Montana, south to California, Baja California and New Mexico.

Habitat

Gravelly or sandy soil along streams, rocky mountain slopes, subalpine, thickets on exposed sites, cutover and burned areas, understory of conifer and oak forests; at elevations up to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[, ]. Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[, ]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[]. This species is unable to tolerate much shade competition from other trees[].
A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[].
Top growth is usually killed by fire, but the plant usually resprouts freely from the base[].
The flowers diffuse a soft honey scent[].
The foliage is a favoured food of various species of deer in N. America[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Intensely bitter[, , , ]. Some native North American Indian tribes saw the fruit as a great delicacy and an important food source, though others only ate it occasionally because of its bitter taste[]. The bright red to almost black, globose fruit is 8 - 15mm in diameter with a thick flesh, and contains one large seed[].

Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity., 270

Medicinal

Bitter cherry was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

The bark is blood purifier, cardiac, laxative and tonic[]. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and eczema[].
An infusion of the bark, combined with crab apple bark (Malus spp) has been used as a cure-all tonic in treating colds and various other ailments[].
The bark, stuck on with resin, has been used as a dressing for wounds, swellings etc[, ].

A decoction of the root and inner bark has been taken daily as a treatment for heart troubles[].

An infusion of the rotten wood has been used as a contraceptive[].

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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted for land reclamation and erosion control[].
Bitter cherry adapts well to disturbed or degraded sites and so is used for land reclamation and erosion control. Nursery-grown stock readily establishes on disturbed sites and once established, it is a good soil stabilizer[].
In California and Nevada bitter cherry is used for rehabilitating acid mine spoils. At the Leviathan Mine in California, planted bitter cherry had a 90% survival rate on sites not seeded with grasses after 1 year. By the second year, grasses had established and bitter cherry survival dropped to 60% of the original planting[].

Other Uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[].

The bark is used to ornament baskets and is also split into strips and used for making baskets that are watertight and resist decay[, ]. The bark is both strong and flexible as well as being ornamental[]. The thin outer bark can be peeled off the tree in the same way as birch trees[]. It has been used to make baskets, mats, ropes and as an ornament on bows, arrows etc[, ]. The bark can also be made into a string[].

Bitter cherry belongs to the secondary Gene Pool of the Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) and so it has the potential for use as a gene donor for crop improvement, particularly for conferring disease resistance to the cherry[].

Wood - close-grained, soft, brittle[]. It is sometimes used for furniture because it takes a high polish[]. An excellent fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[]. 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, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[].
Layering in spring.