sweet cherry Rosaceae Prunus avium (L.) L.   symbol: PRAV
	Leaf: Alternate, simple, 2 to 5 inches long, oval to obovate, serrated margin (slightly rounded teeth), obvious darkened glands on petiole, generally with more than 8 pairs of veins. Flower: Showy, white, 1 inch across, 3 to 5 per cluster, appearing early spring. Fruit: Sweet, dark red to nearly black drupe, 1/2 to 1 inch across, may be clustered on spur shoots; matures early to mid summer. Twig: Medium textured, gray-brown, with a mild bitter almond taste; buds large (up to 1/4 inch), reddish brown; spur shoots present with multiple terminal buds. Bark: Gray-brown, smooth, with prominant, long horizontal lenticels, often peels. Form: A small to medium sized tree, generally to 50 feet, with a broadly rounded crown.
	No range map exists for this species. See a map of the states in which Prunus avium can be found (opens a new window). USDA Plants Database Prunus avium is planted in the highlighted USDA hardiness zones to the left and may seed into the landscape. See a map of the states in which sweet cherry has escaped (opens a new window).