Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Rosales > Rosaceae > Prunus > Prunus prostrataPrunus prostrata (Mountain cherry)Synonyms: Amygdalus prostrata (homotypic); Cerasus griseola; Cerasus humilis (heterotypic); Cerasus prostrata (heterotypic); Cerasus prostrata var. glabrifolia; Hagidryas prostrata (homotypic); Microcerasus humilis; Microcerasus prostrata (heterotypic); Microcerasus prostrata f. griseola; Prunus humilis (heterotypic); Prunus prostrata discolor; Prunus prostrata f. erecta; Prunus prostrata glabrifolia; Prunus prostrata humilis; Prunus prostrata var. concolor; Prunus prostrata var. discolor; Prunus prostrata var. humilis; Prunus prostrata var. incana; Tubopadus prostratus (homotypic) Prunus prostrata (mountain, rock, spreading or prostrate cherry) is a hardy alpine shrub found naturally above about 2000 m. up to as high as 4000 m. in Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Turkey, Albania, Greece, including Crete, Italy, Sardinia, Croatia, France, Corsica, Spain, the Caucasus, Iran, Kashmir and Afghanistan. It grows as tall as 1 m., more typically 0.15-0.30 m., sometimes in the crevices of vertical surfaces. The branches tend to follow the surface at any angle. Flowering patches of the plant on the rocky slopes, sometimes still snow-clad, are striking to climbers. |
| Edible [1] | May be edible. See the Plants For A Future link below for details. | | Flower Type [1] | Hermaphrodite | | Hazards [1] | Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. | | Leaf Type [1] | Deciduous | | Pollinators [1] | Insects, Lepidoptera | | Structure [1] | Shrub | | Usage [1] | A green dye can be obtained from the leaves;
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit; |  | | Height [1] | 39 inches (1 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Prunus prostrata |
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0
|
