Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata)

Family: Rosaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Prunus emarginata is a deciduous Tree growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Intensely bitter. Some native North American Indian tribes saw the fruit as a great delicacy and an important food source, though others only ate it occasionally because of its bitter taste. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Intensely bitter.; Some native North American Indian tribes saw the fruit as a great delicacy and an important food source, though others only ate it occasionally because of its bitter taste.; The fruit is 8 - 15mm in diameter with a thick flesh, and contains one large seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist woods or by watercourses in grassland and sagebrush desert at medium elevations in mountains. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)