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: Rum Cherry

General Information

Prunus serotina is a deciduous shrub or a tree with a narrow columnar to rounded crown; it can grow from 4 - 40 metres tall. Large wild specimens can have boles up to 150cm in diameter, though cultivated plants are usually smaller[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The tree is considered to yield one of the most valued cabinet and furniture woods in North America, and is highly prized and much used for items such as furniture and cabinet making. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Prunus serotina is a species with rapid growth, persistence in shaded sites, a hermaphrodite reproductive system, high seed production and the ability to disperse its seeds through avian and mammalian vectors. It has become invasive in several northern and central European countries where it reduces the biodiversity of native woodland assemblages and impedes forestry production[]

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

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Range

N. America - Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Arizona and Florida

Habitat

Found in a variety of soils, preferring moist fertile conditions on north or east facing slopes or protected coves[]. Dry woods[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[, ]. Requires a warm sunny position[, ]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[]. Succeeds in sandy soils[]. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[].
A fast-growing and moderately long-lived tree in the wild, producing a heavy fruit crop about once every 4 years[]. The tree is cultivated for its timber in central Europe[].
This species produces an abundance of flowers and usually fruits well in Britain[]. In the wild the tree begins to fruit when about 10 years old and then continues for about 100 years, fruiting well in most years[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[]. This species develops a long tap root when young, which makes transplanting difficult[]..
Because it is shallow-rooted and has a tendency to overtop its associates in mixed stands, the tree is susceptible to windthrow[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, jellies, stews etc[, , , , , , , ]. It must be fully ripe or else it will have a bitter flavour. The fruit can taste sweet or bitter[]. The better fruits have a thin skin and a juicy flesh with a pleasant vinous flavour[]. The fruit can also be used as a flavouring in liquors[, ]. The taste is best when the plant is grown in a sunny position[]. The dark purple to nearly black, globose fruit is usually 5 - 10mm in diameter, though specimens up to 25mm are known; it contains one large seed[, ].

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

An infusion of the twigs is used as a beverage[, ]. An extract from the bark is used commercially as a flavouring in soft drinks, sweets, syrups and baked goods[].

Medicinal

Rum cherry was widely employed medicinally by various 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 of the root, trunk and branches is antitussive, astringent, pectoral, sedative, stomachic, tonic[, , , , ]. The medicinal properties of this plant are destroyed by boiling, so the plant should only be allowed to steep in warm water[].
The root bark and the aromatic inner bark have expectorant and mild sedative properties and a tea made from either of them has been used to ease pain in the early stages of labour[, ]. The tea is also used in the treatment of fevers, colds, sore throats, diarrhoea etc[, ]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and should not be stored for longer than one year since it quickly loses its medicinal properties[, ]. Young thin bark is preferred[].
A decoction of the inner bark has been used in the treatment of laryngitis[].
The root bark has been used as a wash on old sores and ulcers[].
The bark contains the glycoside prunasin, which is converted in the digestive tract to the highly toxic hydrocyanic acid[]. Prunasin is at its highest level in the bark in the autumn[] so the bark is harvested at this time and can be dried for later use[]. In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[].

The fruit is astringent and has been used in the treatment of dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is used for surface mine spoil reclamation. The best results have been obtained by planting 1-year-old seedlings[].
It is also planted for the fixation of continental dunes and as a competitor against grasses and heather in heathland afforestations[].
In Poland, it is sometimes planted in the undergrowth in pine forests and in mixed coniferous forests to enrich biodiversity and ameliorate soil conditions. However, since it later becomes an aggressive colonizer it may decrease biodiversity in the long term[]

Other Uses

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

The reddish-brown wood is close and straight-grained, light, strong, rather hard, highly shock resistant[, , , , ]. It bends well, works well, finishes smoothly, glues well, seasons well, shrinks moderately and is moderately free from checking and warping[]. It weighs about 36lb per cubic foot and takes a beautiful polish[]. Highly prized for its fine grain and rich, warm, reddish brown colour, it is widely used for furniture, cabinet making, musical instruments, the interior finish of buildings etc[, , , , , , , ].

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.