Mahaleb Cherry

(Prunus mahaleb)

Mahaleb Cherry (Prunus mahaleb)

Jean Tosti

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Jean Tosti

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Jean Tosti | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: Jeantosti | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Prunus_mahaleb2.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=Nectarine fruit development over a 4½ month period, from early September 2007 to mid January 2008; East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. #. Flower buds form and leaves start to develop. #. Flowers fully develop and are poll |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Prunus mahaleb, commonly known as Mahaleb Cherry or St Lucie Cherry, is a deciduous tree or large shrub native to a variety of habitats including rocky hillsides, open woodlands, and scrub areas across Europe and Western Asia. It typically grows to a height of 2–10 meters (rarely up to 12 meters) with a trunk diameter up to 40 cm. The Mahaleb Cherry is notable for its fragrant, pure white flowers that bloom in mid-spring, forming small clusters on racemes 3–4 cm long. The flowers, measuring 8–20 mm in diameter, are followed by small, thin-fleshed, cherry-like drupes that are green initially, turning red and then dark purple to black when mature. The fruit ripens in mid to late summer and has a very bitter flavor. The bark of the tree is gray and smooth, adding to its ornamental value.

The Mahaleb Cherry is cultivated for its seeds, which are used as a spice and have a fragrant aroma with a taste similar to bitter almonds with cherry notes. It is valued for its strongly fragrant flowers and is often used as an ornamental tree in temperate regions around the world. The tree is adaptable to various soil types, provided they have medium or fast drainage, and it thrives in full sun to part shade. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Prunus mahaleb can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so it is important to check local regulations before planting. It is also susceptible to pests and diseases common to Prunus species, such as borers and fungal infections.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant

Natural Habitat

native to a variety of habitats including rocky hillsides, open woodlands, and scrub areas across Europe and Western Asia

Other Names

Common Names: St. Lucie’s Cherry, Perfumed Cherry, St. Lucie Cherry, Rock Cherry, Saint Lucie Cherry, Weichsel, Felsen-Kirsche, Stein-Weichsel, Steinweichsel, Veikselinkirsikka

Scientific Names: , Prunus mahaleb, Cerasus mahaleb, Padus mahaleb, Cerasus mahaleb subsp. simonkaii, Druparia mahaleb, Padellus mahaleb, Prunus cupaniana, Prunus mahaleb subsp. cupaniana, Prunus mahaleb subsp. simonkaii

GBIF Accepted Name: Prunus mahaleb L.