European bird cherry (Prunus padus, Sp. Pl.: 473 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 473 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Prunus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia, Morocco

Description

European bird cherry is a notable and attractive tree in the vast plant family known as Rosaceae. Native to temperate regions of Eurasia and also found in Morocco, this flowering plant is widely recognized for its ecological and ornamental value.

Description and Growth Habit:

Typically, the European bird cherry grows as a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching heights of 15-30 feet. It displays a rounded crown composed of gracefully arching branches. The bark of young trees is smooth and reddish-brown, eventually maturing to a more rugged, dark brown surface with prominent horizontal lenticels.

Leaves and Flowers:

The leaves of Prunus padus are ovate to elliptic, simple, and alternately arranged along the stems. They tend to be about 2-4 inches long, with finely serrated margins, and present a dark green color on the top side while the underside is lighter.

One of the most striking features of the European bird cherry is its profusion of fragrant, white flowers. Blooming in late spring, these pendulous racemes are densely packed with small flowers, approximately half an inch across, each with five delicately fingered petals. The floral display not only adds aesthetic value but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Fruits:

Following the flowering period, the plant produces small, black cherries that mature in late summer to early autumn. While the fruits provide a food source for birds and mammals, they are relatively astringent and bitter to human taste, thus not widely consumed by people in raw form. Nevertheless, they hold potential in traditional recipes or medicinal uses.

Ecological Role and Uses:

European bird cherry trees play a significant role in their native habitats, offering food and shelter to various wildlife species, particularly birds, which eagerly feast on the berries. The dense foliage provides nesting sites and protective cover for many avian species.

In addition to its ecological importance, Prunus padus is also celebrated for its ornamental properties. Its early spring bloom, followed by lush foliage, makes it a popular choice for landscape gardening. The tree is often used in parks, large gardens, and naturalized areas for its aesthetic appeal and hardiness.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

Historically, the European bird cherry was utilized in various traditional practices. The bark, leaves, and fruits were employed in folk medicine for their purported therapeutic properties, often used in remedies to treat ailments such as respiratory issues and gastrointestinal discomfort.

This botanical marvel, documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus and featured in his work “Species Plantarum,” continues to be a subject of scientific interest and horticultural enthusiasm. Its ability to thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions, paired with its minimal maintenance requirements, secures its place in the palette of plants chosen for ecological restoration and ornamental planting schemes.

In summary, the European bird cherry is a versatile and beautiful tree with notable ecological contributions and historical significance. Whether admired for its striking floral displays, valued for its wildlife support, or recognized for its traditional uses, Prunus padus remains a cherished component of the temperate ecoregions where it thrives.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig hæg, majtræ, hegg, heggebær-træ
Eng: european bird cherry, bird cherry
Deu: trauben-kirsche, traubenkirsche, gewöhnliche traubenkirsche
Fra: cerisier à grappes, merisier à grappes, cerisier à grappes d’europe
Nld: gewone vogelkers
Nor: hegg, heggebær-træ
Nno: hegg
Nob: hegg
Swe: hägg, tuomi
Ita: pado
Fin: tuomi
Sme: duopma, duotnja, ávža, ávžžamuorra
Cym: ceirios, ceirios gwylltion, ceirios yr adar, ceiriosen yr adar, ceiriosen yr aderyn, coeden geirios yr adar, llyngwern, rhuddwern, rhuddwernen, sirian, surian
En: European bird cherry, Bird cherry, Чодураа, Bird-cherry, Hagberry
Ar: خوخ بادي
Hy: Թխենի
Az: Adi meşəgilası
Ba: Муйыл
Eu: Otsagereziondo
Be: Чаромха звычайная
Bg: Песъкиня
Ca: Gatzerí
Ce: Черемшина
Zh: 稠李
Cv: Çĕмĕрт
Hr: Sremza
Cs: Střemcha obecná
Da: Almindelig Hæg, Majtræ, Hegg, Heggebær-træ
Nl: Vogelkers, Gewone vogelkers
Et: Harilik toomingas
Fi: Lehtotuomi, Tuomi
Fr: Merisier à grappes, Cerisier à grappes, Cerisier à grappes d’Europe, Amaruvier, Bois-puant, Cerisier putiet, Faux Bois de sainte Lucie, Putet, Putier, Putiet
Gl: Cerdeira
Ka: Შოთხვი
De: Traubenkirsche, Gewöhnliche Traubenkirsche, Gewöhnliche Trauben-Kirsche, Trauben-Kirsche, Ahlkirsche, Faulbaum, Kirschbaum
Hu: Zelnicemeggy
Is: Heggur
Ga: Donnroisc
It: Pado, Ciliegio a grappoli
Ja: Ezo-no-uwamizu-sakura
Kk: Şomırt, Шомырт, شومىرت
Kv: Льӧм
Ko: Gwirungnamu, 귀룽나무
Lv: Parastā ieva
Lt: Paprastoji ieva
Mk: Сремза
Gv: Billey shillish figgagh
Mn: Мойл
Se: Ávža, Duopma, Duotnja, Ávžžamuorra
No: Hegg, Heggebær-træ
Nb: Hegg
Nn: Hegg
Os: Тæфхъæд
Fa: گیلاس پرنده
Pl: Czeremcha zwyczajna
Pt: Azereiro-dos-danados
Ro: Mălin
Ru: Черёмуха обыкновенная
Sr: Сремза
Sk: Čremcha obyčajná
Es: Čremza, Cerezo de racimo, Cerezo de san Gregorio, Cerezo Pado, Cerezo-aliso
Sv: Hägg, Tuomi
Zh-tw: 稠李
Tt: Шомырт
Zh-hant: 稠李
Uk: Черемха звичайна
Uz: Cheremuxa
Cy: Coeden Geirios yr Adar, Ceirios, Ceirios Gwylltion, Ceirios yr Adar, Ceiriosen yr Adar, Ceiriosen yr Aderyn, Llyngwern, Rhuddwern, Rhuddwernen, Sirian, Surian

Synonyms

• Cerasus racemosa (Gray)
• Druparia padus ((L.) Clairv.)
• Prunus padus subsp. racemosa (Domin)
• Padus racemosa (C.K.Schneid.)
• Cerasus padus ((L.) Delarbre)
• Padus avium (Mill.)
• Prunus racemosa (Lam.)
• Prunus padus var. genuina (Asch. & Graebn.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Fabio Bauer Bauer (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by sean pyman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Phelan Hardy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2018 by Jan Stutenbäumer (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 4, 2022 by Audrey Maurin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2017 by Marlene Vial (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by gregor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2022 by Audrey Maurin (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 4, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2022 by Audrey Maurin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 3, 2012 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2020 by Manu Poli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2018 by Catherine Garret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by dimpel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3021037)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:730076-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus padus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Shrub, Tree

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 5