Bird Cherry

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The Bird Cherry (Prunus padus; syn. Cerasus padus (L., Prunus racemosa Lam.) Delarbre) is a species of cherry, native to northern Europe and northern Asia, growing even north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. It is the type species of the subgenus Padus with flowers in racemes, which are hermaphroditic and pollinated by bees and flies; it is a deciduous small tree or large shrub 8-16 m tall.

The English name refers to the berries, which are astringent and bitter, seldom used in Western Europe (but commonly eaten in Russia and elsewhere), readily eaten by birds, which do not taste astringency as unpleasant. It was used medicinally during the Middle Ages, and the bark, placed at the door, was supposed to ward off the plague.

Another name is the Hagberry, and the fruit can be known as Hags.

There are two varieties:

• European Bird Cherry Prunus padus var. padus. Europe and western Asia.
• Asian Bird Cherry Prunus padus var. commutata. Eastern Asia.