B115 



BITTER CHERRY 



Pru'nus etnargina'ta 



Flowers white, about K in. across, 3 

 to 10 in rather short (mostly 1 in. 

 long), flat-topped clusters (corymbs) 

 from axillary buds on twigs of the 

 previous season 



Petals 5, distinct, spreading 

 Stamens numerous 



Outer united flower parts ' 

 5-lobed, soon falling 



Leaves alternate, usually about % to 

 2 in. long, mostly oblong-reverse-egg- 

 shaped, finely saw-toothed, dark green 

 above, paler below, hairless or nearly 

 so, short-stalked 



Cherry (drupe) usually about % in., 

 in diameter, bright red, with 'juicy and 

 bitter pulp 



Twigs slender, hairless, smooth, dull 

 red with gray mottlings 



The name bitter cherry is appropriate for this species as the 

 small fruits, or cherries, are intensely bitter even when fully ripe. 

 This cherry may attain the stature of a small tree, 20 feet high or 

 so, having slender upright branches which form a symmetric oblong 

 head ; frequently, however, it grows as a spreading shrub, 3 to 10 feet 

 tall, having a rather open growth habit with several crooked stems. 

 The bark, which is bitter and gives off a distinct cherry odor when 

 bruised, is smooth and thin, reddish on the twigs but grayish to 

 dark brown on the stems. Although attractive when in flower, 



