Cherries, the much loved sweet cultivated fruit, also have their wild counterparts in this province. Trees or shrubs, the bark of either is marked by lenticels, pale corky striations. Leaves are simple and serrate along the edge. Usually cherries can be distinguished from all others, by the pair of large dark or red glands present at the top of the peiole close to the leaf base. Fragrant flowers are produced in May and may be solitary or clustered in racemes. The fruit is produced on slender pedicels and may be red, purple or black when ripened. Contain a central pit.

Found throughout

Most wild cherries taste better cooked in recipes where cherries are used: pies, jams, jellies, wine.

The pits and the wood of the cherries contain cyanide. Swallowing the pits should be avoided and the wood should not be used for whistles, dishes containing food, cutting boards, etc.