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| ## bitter cherry {#bitter-cherry .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Prunus emarginata* (Dougl. ex Hook.) D. Dietr.                       |
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| Plant Symbol = PREM                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### 

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The edible fruits are bitter and best used in jams. A
green and dark gray dye was obtained from the fruits and leaves. The
bark was used for making baskets that were watertight and resist decay
(Moerman 1998). The thin outer bark was used to make mats, ropes,
arrows, and as an ornament on bows (Ibid.).

Several native North American tribes used bitter cherry to treat a
variety of complaints. An infusion of the bark was used in the treatment
of tuberculosis (Moerman 1998). A decoction of the root and inner bark
was taken daily as a treatment for heart troubles (Ibid.). An infusion
of the bark, combined with crab apple (*Malus* spp.), was used as a cure
all tonics in treating colds and various other ailments (Ibid.). An
infusion of this species' rotten wood was used as a contraceptive.

*Wildlife*: *Prunus emarginata* is a valuable species for elk, mule
deer, and black bears. The fruits are eaten by small mammals, rodents,
and various birds. This species is preferred by sheep and cattle.

*Agroforestry*: Bitter cherry is used in forested riparian buffers to
help reduce stream bank erosion, protect aquatic environments, enhance
wildlife, and increase biodiversity.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in"
height="3.1347222222222224in"}

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

# 

# Description

*General*: Bitter cherry (*Prunus emarginata*) is a native, deciduous
shrub, four to twelve feet high, or sometimes a small tree up to thirty
feet high (McMinn 1939). The leaves are oblong to oval, fine toothed,
and rounded at the tip. The flowers are fragrant, blooming between April
and May, in clusters of five to twelve. The bark has a generally smooth
dark brown surface marked by horizontal light gray interrupted hands and
by rows of oblong orange colored lenticels (Sargent 1961).

*Distribution*: Bitter cherry often forms extensive thickets on moist
slopes and along stream banks in the transition and Canadian life zones
in the coast ranges, the mountains of southern California and in the
Sierra Nevada (McMinn 1939). It extends northward to Idaho and British
Columbia and eastward to Nevada and Arizona (Ibid.). For current
distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on
the PLANTS Web site.

# 

# Adaptation

*Prunus emarginata* is frequently abundant in very dense; uniform
stands, on steep, rocky slopes, and can be found along valley bottoms
next to streams (Mozingo 1987). It establishes easily in disturbed moist
areas and prefers open sandy or gravelly sites. This species succeeds in
full sun or partial shade but grows best in a sunny position. Bitter
cherry does not tolerate much shade competition from other trees.

# Establishment

*Propagation from Seed*: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe, in the
fall, in an open frame on a seedbed (Heuser 1997). It is important to
protect the seeds from mice or any seed-eating creatures. This species
requires a period of two to three months cold stratification. The seeds
can be slow to germinate, sometimes taking up to eighteen months. When
the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be placed into
individual pots. Grow seedlings in an open frame or greenhouse their
first winter and plant into their permanent positions in late spring or
early summer of the following year.

*Propagation from Softwood Cuttings*: Cuttings should be done in the
spring or early summer in the early morning. Take cuttings about five to
ten centimeters long, just above the node. Put cuttings in plastic bags
to prevent moisture loss (Heuser 1997). They must not be allowed to
wilt. Trim the cuttings below the lowest node to remove the lower leaves
leaving three or four at the tip (Ibid.). A rooting hormone maybe
applied to improve rooting before planting. Insert the cuttings in the
rooting medium up to half their length so the leaves don't touch each
other. The cuttings root in two to three weeks, after which they can be
potted (Ibid.).

# Management

This species is a member of the genus that produces a poison, hydrogen
cyanide, which gives almonds a characteristic flavor. This toxin is
mainly found in the seeds and leaves and has a bitter taste. Hydrogen
cyanide can stimulate respiration and is beneficial in the treatment of
cancer. It is also known to cause respiratory failure and death in some
instances.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Available through native plant nurseries within its range. Contact your
local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation
Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under
"United States Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service
will be listed under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

# 

# References

Britton, N.L. 1908. *North American trees*. Henry Holt & Company, New
York, New York.

Carter, J.L. 1997. *Trees and shrubs of New Mexico*. Mimbres Publishing.

Farrar, J.L. 1995. *Trees of the northern United States and Canada*.
Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Heuser, C.W. 1997. *The complete book of plant propagation*. The Taunton
Press, Newtown, Conneticut.

Howell, J.T. 1949. *Marin flora: manual of the flowering plants and
ferns of Marin County, California*. University of California Press,
Berkeley & Los Angeles, California.

McMinn, H.E. 1951. *An illustrated manual of California shrubs*.
University of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, California.

Moerman, D. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press, Oregon.

Mozingo, H.N. 1987. *Shrubs of the Great Basin: a natural history*.
University of Nevada Press, Reno, Las Vegas, & London.

Pojar, J & A. MacKinnon 1994. *Plants of the Pacific Northwest coast:
Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alaska*. Lone Pine Publishing,
Redmond, Washington.

Preston, R.J. Jr. 1947. *Rocky Mountain trees*. 2^nd^ ed. Iowa State
College Press, Ames, Iowa.

Preston, R.J., Jr., 1989. *North American trees*. 4^th^ ed. Iowa State
University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Rehder, A. 1990. *Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs: hardy in North
America*. 2^nd^ ed. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon.

Sargent, C. & C. Sprague 1922. *Manual of the trees of North America*.
Vol. 2. Dover Publication, Inc., New York, New York.

Vines, R.A. 1960. *Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the southwest*.
University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.

# Prepared By:

## *Jammie Favorite*

formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

# *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 29may03 ahv; 060808 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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