wild black cherry, Prunus serotina

Wild black cherry is our largest member of Prunus. The hard durable wood is a reddish color, and is prized for furniture and other woodwork. The fruit is small, with thin and bitter flesh. It was used by Indians in combinations like pemmican, and by young kids who liked to play cowboys and Indians. The leaves and pits contain hydrogen cyanide, and can poison farm animals. Enough swallowed pits can be fatal for cowboys and Indians. Wild black cherry grows in AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, BC, NB, NS, ON, and QC. Lenawee Co MI, 5/27/11. Rose family, Rosaceae.