Plant Details

Prunus cerasifera

Cherry plum

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Common names

69 names · 42 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Purple-leaf Plum[2]
Other languages (41)
Dutch
  • Kerspruim[2]
  • kroos
  • Myrobalaan
French
  • Myrobalan[2]
  • Myrobolan[2]
  • Prunier myrobolan[2]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Prunier porte-cerise[2]
  • Prunier-cerise[2]
Afrikaans
  • Kersiepruim[2]
Albanian
  • Kumbulla qershimbajtëse[2]
Arabic
  • جانيرك[2]
  • خوخ كرزي[2]
Armenian
  • Սալորենի սովորական[2]
Basque
  • gerezi-aranondo[2]
Belarusian
  • Алыча, ці Сліва растапыраная[2]
Bulgarian
  • Джанка[2]
Catalan
  • Mirabolà[2]
  • Prunera de fulla vermella[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Czech
  • myrobalán[2]
  • slivoň myrobalán[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • alõtša[2]
  • haraline ploomipuu[2]
Finnish
  • kirsikkaluumupuu[2]
Galician
  • Abruñeiro dos xardíns[2]
Georgian
  • ტყემალი[2]
German
Greek
  • Κορομηλιά[2]
  • Προύμνη η κερασιόκαρπος[2]
  • Ρικά[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Τζαρνικιά[2]
Hebrew
  • שזיף הדובדבן[2]
Hungarian
  • Cseresznyeszilva[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • ミロバランスモモ[2]
Korean
  • 자엽꽃자두[2]
Kurdish
  • ئالووچە[2]
Latvian
  • Ķiršveida plūme[2]
Lithuanian
  • Vyšninė slyva[2]
Norwegian
  • kirsebærplomme[2]
Polish
  • Śliwa wiśniowa[2]
Portuguese
  • Ameixoeira-de-jardim[2]
Romanian
Russian
  • Алыча[2]
Slovak
  • slivka čerešňoplodá[2]
  • trnka čerešňoplodá[2]
Slovenian
  • mirobalana[2]
Spanish
  • Ciruelo mirobolano[2]
Swedish
  • körsbärsplommon[2]
Turkish
  • Kiraz Eriği[2]
Ukrainian
  • Алича[2]
  • Слива розлога[2]
Welsh
  • Coeden goeg-geirios[2]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Cherry plum (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 168394; taxon 4N8QW.
  • Kirschpflaume (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 168395; taxon 4N8QW.
[2] Prunus cerasifera — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Kerspruim — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Cherry-plum — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • cherry plum — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Purple-leaf Plum — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Ameixoeira-de-jardim — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Kirschpflaume — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Ciruelo mirobolano — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Mirabolà — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Prunier myrobolan — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Myrobalan — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • myrobalán — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Prunier-cerise — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Mirabel — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • haraline ploomipuu — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • slivoň myrobalán — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • kirsebærplomme — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Алыча — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Marusticano — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • kirsikkaluumupuu — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Śliwa wiśniowa — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • שזיף הדובדבן — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • ミロバランスモモ — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Vyšninė slyva — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 樱桃李 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • alõtša — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Սալորենի սովորական — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • خوخ كرزي — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • جانيرك — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • körsbärsplommon — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Κορομηλιά — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Προύμνη η κερασιόκαρπος — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Τζαρνικιά — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Ρικά — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 紫葉李 — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 紫叶李 — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Amula — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Divlja šljiva — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Cibor — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Zerdelija — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Amolo — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Mirabolano — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 櫻桃李 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • gerezi-aranondo — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Джанка — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Corcoduș — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Prunera de fulla vermella — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Алича — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Алыча, ці Сліва растапыраная — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Kersiepruim — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 자엽꽃자두 — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • mirobalana — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Cseresznyeszilva — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Ķiršveida plūme — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Слива розлога — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Abruñeiro dos xardíns — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Kumbulla qershimbajtëse — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • 樱李 — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Prunier porte-cerise — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Myrobolan — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Myrobalan — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • slivka čerešňoplodá — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Coeden goeg-geirios — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • ტყემალი — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • trnka čerešňoplodá — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Kiraz Eriği — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • ئالووچە — results[0].names[66]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.
  • Myrobalane — results[0].names[67]; taxon id 55837; Prunus cerasifera.

General information

Scientific name: Prunus cerasifera
Accepted name (Kew): Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [3] [4]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Prunus (WCVP v16).

Sources [3]
Also known as: Cherry plum
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree
Catalogue size class: Small, Medium
Height: 4.57–9.14 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 4.57–7.62 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Dense, Rounded, Spreading, Vase

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained

Preferred growing conditions. Moisture and drainage are different properties; well-drained soil is not necessarily dry.

Sources [1] [2]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit flesh

Fruit flesh only. Remove seeds or stones; do not chew or eat the kernels.

Sources [2] [1]
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Dye, Hedge, Rootstock, Windbreak

Description

Prunus cerasifera is a deciduous fruit tree with a rounded habit. Its fruit flesh is edible and can be used in tarts or jellies. Remove the stones; do not eat or chew the kernels because of cyanogenic compounds. Fruit characteristics and ripening vary, and ornamental cultivars may crop poorly.

Sources [1] [2]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 15/09

Crown

Crown shape: round
Crown density: dense crown

Typical crown form. Age, pruning and growing conditions can change its shape and density.

Sources [2] [1]

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Horticultural Society Prunus cerasifera | RHS Plant Profile
    Supports: DescriptionSoil moistureEdible partsCrown
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable
    • Soil moisture: Growing conditions: Moisture; Cultivation
    • Edible parts: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable
    • Crown: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable

    Source checked on .

  2. NC State Extension Prunus cerasifera | Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: DescriptionSoil moistureEdible partsCrownHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Whole Plant Traits; Edibility; Poison Symptoms and Toxic Principle, where applicable
    • Soil moisture: Cultural Conditions: Soil Drainage
    • Edible parts: Edibility; Poison Symptoms; Poison Part
    • Crown: Description and Habit/Form
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 343710; name ID 2958711; Prunus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 345838; name ID 2959102; Prunus cerasifera Ehrh..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  4. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Prunus cerasifera

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1041548, ID 4N8QW: Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (accepted).

    Source checked on .