Rum cherry (Prunus serotina, Gartenkalender 3: 285 (1783))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Ehrh.

Bibliography: Gartenkalender 3: 285 (1783)

Year: 1783

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Prunus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Canada to NW. U.S.A., E. Canada to Guatemala

Description

Rum cherry, scientifically known as Prunus serotina, is a notable member of the Rosaceae family. This versatile species was first documented by Ehrhart in 1783 through his work “Gartenkalender”. Native to a broad region, the Rum cherry can be found from Western Canada to the Northwestern United States, and from Eastern Canada extending as far south as Guatemala.

Prunus serotina is a deciduous tree known for its hardiness and adaptability to various climates and soil types. The bark of the Rum cherry tree is dark and flaky, which provides a striking contrast to its lush, green foliage. In spring, the tree produces delicate white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by an abundance of small, dark cherries. These fruits are not only appealing to wildlife but are also utilized in culinary applications, notably in the production of rum, hence the common name “Rum cherry”.

This species is critical to both its native ecosystem and horticulture, offering food and habitat to various animal species while also being valued for its timber. The wood of Prunus serotina is highly prized for its rich color and fine grain, often used in furniture making and cabinetry.

In addition to its practical uses, the Rum cherry also holds aesthetic value in landscapes. Its elegant blossoms and fruit-bearing capabilities make it a desirable choice for gardeners looking to add both beauty and biodiversity to their plantings.

By understanding the contributions of the Rum cherry—spanning ecological sustenance, economic utility, and ornamental appeal—we can appreciate this resilient species’ essential role in bridging natural habitats with human needs and pleasures.

Common Names

Nld: amerikaanse vogelkers, bospest
Eng: black cherry, black chokecherry, rum cherry, wild cherry, rum cherry, black cherry, wild black cherry
Fra: cerisier noir, cerisier tardif, cerisier d’automne
Ita: ciliegio tardivo, pruno autunnale, pruno tardivo
Pol: czeremcha amerykańska
Dan: glansbladet hæg, sildig hæg
Deu: herbsttraubenkirsche, spätblühende traubenkirsche, späte trauben-kirsche, späte traubenkirsche
Lit: vėlyvoji ieva
Swe: glanshägg
Hun: kései zelnicemeggy
Nno: romhegg
Nob: romhegg
Ces: střemcha pozdní
Lav: vēl
Spa: capulin, cerezo americano
Cym: ceiriosen hwyrddail, coeden geirios rym
En: Rum cherry, Wild cherry, Black cherry, Black chokecherry, Rum cherry, black cherry, Wild Black Cherry, Black choke, Cabinet cherry, American Cherry, Whisky Cherry
Cs: Střemcha pozdní
Da: Glansbladet hæg, Sildig hæg
Nl: Amerikaanse vogelkers, Bospest
Fr: Merisier, Cerisier noir, Cerisier tardif, Cerisier d’automne
De: Herbsttraubenkirsche, Spätblühende Traubenkirsche, Späte Trauben-Kirsche, Späte Traubenkirsche, Spät-Traubenkirsche, Herbstkirsche, Amerikanische Spätkirsche, Herbst-Kirsche
Hu: Kései zelnicemeggy
It: Pruno tardivo, Ciliegio tardivo, Pruno autunnale, Ciliego nero, Ciliego tardivo, Prugno della Virginia, Pruno autumnale
Lv: Vēl
Lt: Vėlyvoji ieva
Nb: Romhegg
Nn: Romhegg
Pl: Czeremcha amerykańska
Es: Capulin, Cerezo Americano, Capulín, Cerezo del ron, Cerezo negro, Capuli, Guinda
Sv: Glanshägg
Cy: Ceiriosen Hwyrddail, Coeden Geirios Rym

Synonyms

• Prunus serotina f. typica (Schwer.)
• Padus serotina ((Ehrh.) Borkh.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 9, 2017 by Martin Desbois (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Miss Sophie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2009 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2009 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 14, 2018 by Fernando Muvi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Stijn Van Der Heijden (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by G Bart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Kio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Kio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Bill Bill Duffy (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Frank Doorme (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2010 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2010 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2019 by Silke Lorenz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 19, 2020 by selber pflanzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2019 by Thaimo Chitanda Francisco Thaimo Chitanda Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2020 by Frozy

Bark

Taken Dec 8, 2019 by Millán Javie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by sandy pardes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2020 by selber pflanzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Kio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Rob Zijderveld (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Elia Carazza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2016 by Ingrid Mehl Pedersen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2016 by EOL − grbfrog (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 28, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:730262-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3021850)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus serotina Ehrh.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4