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Prunus pensylvanica

Accession Count: 1
Common Name: fire cherry
Family Name: Rosaceae
Botanical Name: Prunus pensylvanica
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Compound: Pru pen
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The name fire cherry is not in reference to the red coloring of the fruit produced by the Prunus pensylvanica shrub. This fascinating tree actually has the very distinctive characteristic of acting as a reforesting agent after clearing due to forest fires (1). Because seeds are buried in soil, they can remain dormant and respond even after clearing (2). Further, they can serve as a nurse plant for other plant species, providing shade until the developing plant outgrows the fire cherry plant, at which point it will die off because of high sensitivity to shade (1). ). This provides room and nutrients for the continued growth of other species.
Cultivation Notes: Prunus pensylvanica best grows under sunny but cool conditions with a period of cold dormancy before germination (1). Propagation of this plant is most successful using semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings taken in the summer season (1).
Ethnobotany: The fruit of this plant is bitter but palatable for humans and is best used for making jelly or syrup (3).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Red
Function: Screen
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Moderate Water Use
Citations:
  1. Discover Life
  2. _Nova Scotian Institute of Science
  3. USDA Plant Database
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Prunus pensylvanica