By: Leslie Harper

Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Rosidae Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Genus: Prunus L. Species: Prunus serotina Ehrh.

When matured, the average height for a Wild Black Cherry tree is 80 feet tall. It is most active in growth in the Spring and Summer, and its growth form is multiple stemmed. The foliage color is green whereas the flower color is white, and the fruit it produces is black. Its shape and orientation is erect. Figure 2.1

The bark is originally used by Anglo-Americans as a remedy for illnesses dealing with coughing. It can now be used for asthma, whooping cough, indigestion, and problems resulting from irritable bowel syndrome. The inner bark is said to have an almond-like scent. Figure 2.2

Twigs of this tree start out very green and fleshy. As they grow they turn reddish brown. Leaf [3] The leaves grow up to six inches long and two inches wide, and they grow alternatively along the twig or branch. They are ovate, and the petioles are usually around one inch long. Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

The buds blossom in the late spring and early summer. The flowers that it produces stays around for about two weeks and then produces the tree’s fruit. The flowers are half an inch and have five white pedals. Figure 2.5Figure 2.6

 The fruit of this tree start out green and turn to red to purple-black as they ripen. They are ripe in the Fall, and each cherry contains one seed. Their taste is said to be sweet and somewhat bitter. Figure 2.7

 The trees are “widespread all through the eastern part of North America stretching from southern Canada to central Florida. The species can also be found in abundance in the stretch ranging from west to Minnesota to the eastern part of Texas. Black cherry also grows naturally at higher altitudes in New Mexico and Arizona as well as all along south from Mexico to Guatemala”

As stated earlier, the Anglo-Americans originally used the bark of the Wild Black Cherry tree for medical reasons. It was mostly used then as a cure for chronic coughing. Now, it is used for treatment of asthma, whooping cough, indigestion, and problems occurring as a result of irritable bowel syndrome.

 Figures 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, & 2.7 Prunus serotina. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2010, cies/prse2.htm cies/prse2.htm

 [1] Classification for kingdom plantae down to species prunus serotina ehrh.. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2010, ce=profile&symbol=PRSE2&display=31 ce=profile&symbol=PRSE2&display=31  [2] Prunus serotina ehrh.. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2010,  [3] Wild black cherry. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2010, herry.htm herry.htm