TD Tree BeeForests Canada

Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

Sand Cherry

Prunus pumila

Native

Sand cherry is a deciduous shrub, typically growing up to 2 meters tall. It is native to North American and is widespread in eastern and central Canada, and some northern parts of the United States. It can be found in sandy or gravelly shores, dunes, and old beach ridges around the Great Lakes. There are several varieties of this species including Prunus pumilavar. besseyi, Prunus pumila var. depressa and Prunus pumila var. susquehanae.

Leaf

Leaves are simple, alternate, leathery green, lance shaped. Narrowly elliptic or widest near the tip.

Fruit/Seed

Fruit is a shiny drupe, reddish purple maturing to nearly black, 1/3 to ½ inch in diameter with a single hard seed inside. Become dark purple in early summer.

Flower

White with 5 petals. Clusters of 2 to 4 flowers together -flowered umbel (stalks all arising from the same point).

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158Species

Sand Cherry | Tree Bee