page_title: Prunus serotina
section_title: Biochemistry
hierarchical_section_title: Prunus serotina / Biochemistry
caption_attribution_description: English: Galls made by Eriophyes cerasicrumena on cherry tree. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, Shenandoah Nat. Park, Warren County, Virginia, USA. https://bugguide.net/node/view/416321
context_page_description: Prunus serotina, commonly called black cherry, wild black cherry, rum cherry, or mountain black cherry, is a deciduous tree or shrub belonging to the genus Prunus. The species is widespread and common in North America and South America.
  Black cherry is closely related to the chokecherry; chokecherry, however, tends to be shorter and has smaller, less glossy leaves.
context_section_description: Like apricots and apples, the seeds of black cherries contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that can be converted into cyanide, such as amygdalin. These compounds release hydrogen cyanide when the seed is ground or minced, which releases enzymes that break down the compounds. These enzymes include amygdalin beta-glucosidase, prunasin beta-glucosidase and mandelonitrile lyase. In contrast, although the flesh of cherries also contains these compounds, it does not contain the enzymes needed to produce cyanide, so the flesh is safe to eat.
  The foliage, particularly when wilted, also contains cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to hydrogen cyanide if eaten by animals. Farmers are recommended to remove any trees that fall in a field containing livestock, because the wilted leaves could poison the animals. Removal is not always practical, though, because they often grow in very large numbers on farms, taking advantage of the light brought about by mowing and grazing. Entire fencerows can be lined with this poisonous tree, making it difficult to monitor all the branches falling into the grazing area. Black cherry is a leading cause of livestock illness, and grazing animals' access to it should be limited.
caption: Galls made by the mite Eriophyes cerasicrumena.
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