Plant species

St Lucie cherry Prunus mahaleb

Rosaceae

Species information

Description

A woody plant with toothed leaves and white five-petalled flowers followed by drupes. A thermophilous shrub or small tree of dry Karst slopes and woodland edges, bearing dense clusters of small white flowers.

Plant traits

Growth form

shrub

Life cycle

perennial

Height

200–1000 cm

Typical season

123456789101112

Active growth

Flowering

Fruiting

Timing varies with site and year.

Habitat conditions

Habitat

forest edge · shrubland · rocky habitats

Light

full sun

Moisture

dry · mesic

Soil

base-rich

Substrate

calcareous

Pollination

insect pollination

Status

native

Interesting facts

Crushed leaves and twigs can smell of bitter almonds because they contain aromatic cyanogenic compounds.

LifeSystems

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