North Carolina Wildflowers, Shrubs, & Trees

Rosaceae > Prunus

Common statewide in NC, especially along fencerows and wooded edges, but also in various wooded habitats.

White strings of flowers appear in mid-spring and attract many bees & flies.

Most of the leaves usually have orange hairs along the sides of the base of the underside of the mid-vein.

Some species of cherries, including Black Cherry, have small red glands at the base of the leaf blade near the top of the leaf stalk (petiole).

The bark of most species of cherry is marked by horizontal lenticels.

Black Cherry is often attacked by a fungus (affectionately known "Flying Bear S#@! Fungus") that looks like a dark mass along the stem or branches.

Fairly common at higher elevations in the mountains, often in disturbed areas such as roadsides and where logging or fires have occurred. Note the long, relatively skinny, finely toothed leaves.

Fruits are bright red drupes and may be eaten but are sour. Note that wilted leaves, twigs, and seeds are reported to be toxic if eaten, however!

The bark does not exhibit the strong horizontal barring found on Black Cherry.

Uncommon in the NC mountains, Choke Cherry is much more common farther north and west in the US.

Somewhat of an acquired taste, I think the fruits are quite tasty raw! And they make delicious preserves.

Common in sandy habitats along roadsides, fields, etc. in the eastern half of North Carolina.

This is an early spring blooming species, and the flowers often attract the first butterflies of the spring.

Young plums ripening.

Detail of bark on twig and older trunk.