Scientific Name
Prunus serotina
Common Name
Black cherry, wild cherry

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Rosaceae
Plant Description
Deciduous tree; leaves alternate, simple, toothed on the margin, with 2 small glands at base of blade and hairy along midrib below; flowers in an elongated cluster, 5-parted, white; fruit fleshy, black with a large pit (stone).
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Deciduous forest or natural area, maritime forest; weedy in disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, fencerows; in landscape as shade tree.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Wilted leaves, twigs (stems), seeds.
Symptoms
Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Pitted fruits are eaten raw or made into jelly when combined with apples, or jell alone with added pectin. Sauces, pies, and flavorings are also made from these cherries. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp.
Toxic Principle
Cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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