Prunus nigra Aiton

Small tree to 10 m; lvs obovate to broadly oblong-obovate, 7–12 cm, abruptly acuminate, broadly cuneate to rounded or subcordate at base, coarsely and often doubly serrate with irregular, triangular-ovate, rather blunt, gland-tipped teeth often 2 mm high, ± hairy beneath,at least in the vein-axils; fls in clusters of 3 or 4, on reddish pedicels 1–2 cm; sep glandular on the margin, pubescent above, glabrous beneath; pet 10–15 mm; fr ellipsoid, red, varying to yellow, 2–3 cm; 2n=16. Moist woods and thickets; N.S. (intr.) and Me. to Man., s. to Conn., N.Y., n. O., Ind., Ill., and ne. Io. May.

Thickets, stream banks and woodland edges, in alluvial soils of river valleys and on limestone hills. Borders of deciduous woods, bottomland forests, roadside thickets; at elevations up to 800 metres.

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used in preserves. They are stewed and used in jelly, pies, sauces, fruit juices, marmalade and plum butter. They are dried and used like raisins.

It forms thickets from root sprouts.