(Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Mill.)
Habitus
- it is a high multi-stemmed shrub to tree growing to 10 – 13 m, often with a curved trunk
- the crown is broad, spherical to irregular
- the bark is light brown to dark brown
- the bork is dark brown to blackish, cracked into longitudinal cracks
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- the leaves are simple, 3 - 7 x 2 - 4 cm large, broadly ovate to round, shortly pointed, round to cordate at the base
- they are serrated along the margin, dark green shiny on the upper side, light green on the lower side, often hairy on the veins or in the vein axils
- the petiole is 1 - 3 cm long
Flowers
- it is a monoecious tree, flowers are bisexual, white, grouped in clusters of 4 - 12 on 15 - 25 mm long pedicels
- it blooms in May
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is a spherical, dark red to black drupe with a bitter taste
- the stone is about 4 mm large, ovoid with two ribs, yellowish to light gray, smooth
- it ripens in VII - IX
Extension
- it was originally widespread in Spain, Southern Europe, Southwestern Ukraine to Central Asia
- in Slovakia it grows mainly on carbonates in warmer areas (Devínska Kobyla), the highest occurrences are recorded from the Muránská planina area - the castle cliff of Muráň Castle
Ecology
- it is a light-loving, drought-resistant tree
- it grows in forest-steppe communities together with downy oak (Quercus pubescens) and downy ash (Fraxinus ornus) and other warmth-loving and drought-loving trees
- it grows mainly in warm, dry, calcareous and stony habitats
Significance
- as a landscape element
- decorative with flowers, shiny leaves
- fruit-bearing
- wood largely resistant to drought, but also to exhalation
- it could be used more in creating greenery in cities in warmer areas
