black cherry
(Prunus serotina Ehrh.)

Overview

Appearance

Prunus serotina is a perennial tree that can grow up to 125 ft. (38 m) tall.

Foliage

Leaves are alternate, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, and 0.2 to 0.6 in. (5-15 mm) long with toothed margins and reddish hairs.

Flowers

Flowers are white in color, 0.3 to 0.4 in. (8-10 mm) across, and found in racemes that are 2.4 to 5.9 in.(6-15 cm) long with 20-30 flowers.

Fruit

Fruits are 0.3 to 0.4 in. (8-10 mm) in diameter, berry-like, obovoid, and black to purple drupes. Seeds are ovoid, 0.2 to 0.3 in. (6-8 mm) long, and black. Each fruit contains a single seed.

Ecological Threat

Prunus serotina can be found in a variety of habitats. It is native to the United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, and all states east and north of that except South Dakota.

Selected Images

Invasive Listing Sources

No reference that we have lists this species as invasive in North America. This species is included for comparison to other species that are considered invasive.

References