Prunus padus is difficult to distinguish from Prunus virginiana var. demissa, at least from herbarium material[].
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: Bird Cherry

General Information

Prunus padus is a deciduous shrub or a tree with a dense, elongate crown; it can grow 1 - 15 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It has sometimes been cultivated for its edible fruit, and is also often grown as an ornamental[].
Prunus padus is a widely distributed species across Eurasia that has no known major threats. 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

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east to Turkey and the Caucasus, through Siberia to China, Japan and Korea; N. Africa - Morocco

Habitat

By streams and in moist open woods[], usually on alkaline soils[] but also found on acid soils in upland areas[]. Forest and scrub, most frequently growing on calcareous or base-rich substrates, avoiding very dry or very acidic conditions[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Flies, Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prunus padus is a very cold-hardy tree[, ], tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in any soil, preferring 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[]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[, ]. Very hardy but it does not like exposure to strong winds[].
A very ornamental species[], there are some named varieties[]. Prunus padus is cultivated in North America as an ornamental prized for its long, showy racemes of white flowers and its cold hardiness[].
Its value in the upper Midwest is often compromised by fungal infection causing black knot disease[].
The sub-species Prunus padus borealis is found in Scandinavia and the mountains of central Europe. It is a shrub growing only to about 3 metres high[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[]. Trees usually produce lots of suckers and will soon regenerate by this method if the main trunk is cut down[].
This tree is a host for cereal virus vector[]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
Trees only cast a light shade and do not themselves thrive in heavy shade[].
The fruits are relished by birds and the flowers and leaves attract many insects.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. The fruit usually has a bitter taste and is used mainly for making jam and preserves[, ]. The fruit, dried and ground together with the stones, yields a powder used in the Urals and Siberia as a filling for tarts and in the preparation of a fruit liqueur[]. The fruit is about the size of a pea and contains one large seed[]. The black, globose fruit is 6 - 8mm in diameter and contains a single, large seed[].

Flowers - chewed[, ].

Young leaves - cooked[]. Used as a boiled vegetable in Korea[].

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[].

A dark red dye obtained from the fruit is used for colouring alcoholic beverages[].

Medicinal

The bark is mildly anodyne, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[, ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds, feverish conditions etc[]. The bark is harvested when the tree is in flower and can be dried for later use[].

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:

As a nectar plant, it produces abundant supplies of nectar and pollen[].

Other Uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[].
A dark red dye obtained from the fruit is used for colouring alcoholic beverages[].
The bark yields green and brown-green dyes[].

Prunus padus is a wild relative of the Almond, Peach and Nectarine, Plum, Sloe and Sweet Cherry, and so it has the potential for use as a gene donor for crop improvement[].

The plant has been used as rootstock for the Sour Cherry[].

The heartwood is reddish-brown with an unpleasant smell; the wide band of sapwood is whitish. The wood is fine-grained, moderately hard, heavy, resilient, durable, easy to work, polishes well. An attractive wood, often with a handsome silver grain, it is much valued by cabinet makers and is used for various other purposes[, , , , ].

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.
Cuttings of mature wood, autumn in a frame.
Suckers removed in late winter.
Layering in spring.