Prunus campanulata Maxim.

Taiwan Cherry

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Taiwan Cherry is an introduced small deciduous tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to China, Japan, and Taiwan. It is one of the “flowering cherries” and is planted as an ornamental in Alabama. It sometimes escapes cultivation and can be found on vacant lots, on fence rows, and in disturbed urban woodlands. Taiwan Cherry is a small tree reaching 25-30 feet in height. The bark is dark brown with prominent lenticels (pores in the bark that allow for gas exchange). Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate, and serrate. Flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves. Flowers occur in umbels of 2-6. Each flower has five bright reddish-pink petals. The fruit is a small red or black drupe. The fruit are consumed by birds and squirrels, who disperse the seed. Taiwan Cherry is the most heat tolerant of the flowering cherries, and the only one that can be relied upon to do well in the southern portions of Alabama. Trees are short lived with an average life span of 15-20 years. Taiwan Cherry is commercially available and can also be grow from the abundant seed.--A. Diamond

This species was first collected as a naturalized element of the Alabama flora in 2010 by A. Diamond in Conecuh County. (Phytoneuron 2013-47: 1-13).

Not Native

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