How to identify Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera)

How to identify Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera)

Cherry plum, also known as Purple leaf plum

Cherry plum is a medium-sized, ornamental, deciduous tree with an upright, spreading form, and a rounded to vase-shaped crown. It exhibits thin reddish-brown to dark gray bark with visible lenticels in its youth, transitioning to a furrowed texture with age. The leaves present as alternate, simple, ovate shapes with serrated edges, shining dark green with paler hairy undersides, measuring approximately 2-3 inches long (5-7.5 cm). In spring, the tree showcases fragrant white, 5-petaled flowers, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, followed by round, attractive drupes, reddish to yellow in color, each roughly 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) across.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub, Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Cherry plum

Ovate leaves with serrated edges, shiny dark green with paler hairy undersides, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long.

Fragrant white flowers, 5-petaled, 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, blooming in clusters in April.

Round drupes, reddish to yellow, 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) across, containing a single hard seed inside.

Thin stem, dark reddish-brown to gray, 0.2 to 0.5 inches (5 to 12 mm) in diameter, with small buds.

Distinctive bark transitioning from smooth with lenticels to furrowed and ridged, offering age cues.

Detailed Traits of Cherry plum

Leaf Features

The leaves of cherry plum are alternate, simple, and shiny green with a pale green underside. They are ovate to elliptical, measuring 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) long and 1 to 1.25 inches (2.5 to 3.2 cm) wide. The leaves have serrated margins, a rounded base, and an acute apex. They are downy along the midrib and veins on the underside, with glands at the base near the petiole. Depending on the cultivar, foliage color ranges from purple to coppery-red.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,

Ovate ,

Obovate

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,

Acute

Leaf Margin

Serrate

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Flower Features

The flowers of cherry plum are fragrant, pure white, and feature five petals. They are adorned with 20 to 30 stamens and one pistil. Typically, they appear singly, but occasionally two to three may group together. Crowded on the twigs, they form clusters, each measuring 0.75 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) in diameter. Blooming in April as the leaves emerge, these flowers provide a striking display. Notably, cultivars' flowers may also appear in shades of pink.

Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Fascicle

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Stem Features

The stem of cherry plum is characterized by its dark reddish-brown to gray coloration and slender profile. Typically thin, the stem often measures around 0.2 to 0.5 inches (5 to 12 mm) in diameter. The surface is smooth with occasional spur shoots that manifest in clusters. The small buds are prominently positioned along the stem, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance. These features make the stem of cherry plum easily distinguishable.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of cherry plum is a glossy, spherical drupe that measures approximately up to 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) in diameter. Its skin is either a vibrant yellow or a deep red, and certain cultivars exhibit a reddish-purple hue. This drupe has a smooth texture and contains a single hard seed (stone) inside. While it matures in mid to late summer, the tree tends to produce these fruits sparingly. The flesh encasing the stone may appeal to those who enjoy the mixture of tart and sweet flavors.

Fruit Type

Drupe

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Cherry plum and Their Similar Plants

Sweet cherry vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Sweet cherry is a well-known species to fruit lovers worldwide. This stone fruit varies in flavor from sweet to tart, depending on the specific cultivar. Sweet cherry is also used for lumber and is a preferred wood type for furniture.

Black cherry vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a medium-sized, deciduous forest tree native to the Americas, but also naturalized in parts of Europe. It features inflorescence with small white blooms that become clusters of dark cherries, edible when pitted. Mature trees have gray-to-black, distinctly crackled bark. The glossy leaves are poisonous to livestock. It is a highly reproductive pioneer species with invasive potential.

European plum vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Prunus domestica is a small deciduous tree and the most common orchard plum in Europe and other regions of the world. It is a hybrid species that had most likely evolved from the wild Cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera. The fruit is elongated, fleshy, and usually sweet. Dried fruits of european plum are called prunes.

Peach vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Peach is native to Northwest China. China, Spain, and Italy are the top three producers of peaches world-wide. The peach is also the state fruit of Georgia. Peach production in the US in 2017 was valued at $599 million. The fruit has a yellow or white flesh, a sweet aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines).

Cherry laurel vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is an evergreen species of cherry, commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is a shrub or a small tree with characteristic glossy, dark green leaves with a leathery texture. Leaves and seeds of cherry laurel contain toxic compounds, which can cause serious poisoning if ingested.

Japanese cherry vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

The japanese cherry tradition, called Hanami, where people have picnics and outdoor parties under these trees, is a popular attraction. The excellent spring colors of the Prunus serrulata tree attract butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Its showy pink and white flowers are in full bloom in early to mid-spring, and some are fragrant.

Common chokecherry vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Prunus virginiana, commonly known as common chokecherry, is a deciduous small tree or suckering shrub often confused with chokeberry, due to similarities in the looks of their fruits. The fruits of both species are known for their rich antioxidant content. Common chokecherry plays an important ecological role as a larval host for numerous moth species.

Apricot vs. Cherry plum: What's The Difference?

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a fruit-bearing plant species native to Asia. Although the genus name, "Prunus," means plum, the fruits of this tree are actually apricots. The seeds are occasionally used as substitutes for almonds because they share a similar shape and nutty taste. The apricot has been cultivated by humans for centuries, and was even discovered in the remains of ancient Armenian settlements.

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Key Facts About Cherry plum

Attributes of Cherry plum

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub, Tree

Plant Height

8 m to 12 m

Spread

9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Purple

Flower Size

2 cm to 2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Pink

Fruit Color

Red

Yellow

Burgundy

Purple

Orange

Stem Color

Red

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Cherry plum

Slightly Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Cherry plum

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Prunus

Species

Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera)

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Distribution Map of Cherry plum

Cherry plum is native to Eurasia, where it grows in forest edges and grasslands. This plant has been cultivated worldwide, and has escaped cultivation to become invasive on the west coast of the United States.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Cherry plum How to Grow and Care for Cherry plum