Black Cherry, Rum Cherry, Mountain Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Rosaceae (Rose family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple leaf, deciduous
Shape
Oblanceolate to elliptical with an acuminate tip
Margin
Finely serrate with characteristic tiny, incurved glandular teeth along the edge.
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent, pale yellowish-green midrib and branching secondary veins.
Key Features
Finely serrated leaf margins with tiny glands near the petiole, distinctive dark scaly bark on mature trees, and rusty-brown hair fuzz along the underside of the midrib near the leaf stem.
Description
Prunus serotina, commonly known as the black cherry, is a medium to large deciduous tree recognized for its dark, scaly bark that resembles burnt cornflakes, fragrant white spring blossoms drooping in racemes, and astringent dark purplish-black fruits that follow in late summer. The foliage emerges with a reddish-green hue in spring, transitions to a deep lustrous green in summer, and turns a striking yellow to soft red in autumn.
Habitat
Thrives in rich, moist soils of deciduous forests, along fence rows, and forest edges. It prefers full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, spanning from southeastern Canada down through the eastern and central United States to Texas and Florida, with related varieties found in Central and South America.