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Escarpment Black Cherry

Prunus serotina var. serotina

Other common name(s):

Edwards Plateau Black Cherry

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

25
to
50
ft.

Spread

20
to
35
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Alkaline, Calcareous, Rich, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Prune to shape. Not for heavy soils. Easy to grow. Propagation: Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings , Softwood cuttings, Root cuttings.

Comments

Blooms March-May. Escarpment Black Cherry is a distinct and isolated geographic variety of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) found only in the calcareous soils of central Texas. Green leaves turn yellow in fall. Lacey blossoms in spring. Dark, red-purple fruit in fall. Foliage is toxic to humans. Larval Host: Red Admiral, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Columbia Silkmoth. Attracts pollinators.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Prunus serotina var. eximia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRSEE. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=30303&locationType=County&mapType=Normal., 5) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=529886#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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