Where the Prunus Paths Converge
Though all members of the same genus, Prunus virginiana, Prunus campanulata, and Prunus avium each have distinct physical characteristics that distinguish one from the other. However, between the three species of Prunus, several key features such as the flowers and fruits draw parallels between each plant and reveal similar potential dietary and medicinal uses.
To begin, Prunus virginiana was collected digitally from the UCLA Herbarium archive. The metadata stored in the specimen contained information explaining several notable characteristics. Based on the metadata displayed on the image, the plant was collected by Cora Smith King on May 4, 1913 and identified by Agnes Chase, a plant expert at the Smithsonian. The plant was classified as the Prunus virginiana L. in the Rosaceae family. The metadata shows that the collector georeferenced a point at the Cabin John Bridge Aqueduct. The collector could identify this plant as a member of the Rosaceae family, as the flowers are radially symmetrical and display numerous stamens, commonly bearing clusters of small flowers. Prunus virginiana is a shrub with an irregularly shaped crown and with numerous, slender stems. Its leaves are dark green, with a glossy texture on top and a paler color on the bottom, and serrated edges. The plant has perfect flowers, which are aromatic and arranged cylindrically. The fruits range in size and color, but usually in the range of dark red or purple to nearly black. When collected, Cora Smith King must have taken all of these characteristics and factors into account before classifying her sample as Prunus virginiana. They could compare the characteristics of the Prunus virginiana to a catalog of collected plants belonging to Prunus and more largely the Rosaceae family, helping them classify the plant. The Prunus virginiana is found across the northern US and Canada, and had a history of being cultivated as food and medical supply.
Our specimen of Prunus campanulata, found in the north-central part of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on a hillside directly next to the creek, is surrounded by other Rosaceae taxa. The specimen is a classic example of a cherry blossom tree, with tall, slender branches covered in bright pink symmetrical flowers. While different colors, the flowers bear striking similarities to the blossoms of the Prunus virginiana, marking a family resemblance. In summer, the tree develops small cherry fruits, edible but more useful for the mild astringent properties. Its common name is the Taiwan Flowering Cherry tree, and as suggested by that name, is native to Taiwan and Southern China.
Our specimen of Prunus avium is depicted in a lithographic print created by Henry Humphreys The image found is an illustrated depiction of 3 close relatives of the Prunus virginiana. The plants are shown with wide, pointed leaves, as well as white flowering stems and cherry-like fruit. While there are 3 distinct plants in the image, they share similarly sized symmetrical flowers and leaves, though different shaped fruit. We can see the distinctive elliptical leaves with serrated edges, as well as the way the leaves also yellow in different seasons. Colloquially referred to as the wild cherry, the trees are found mainly in Europe and were historically used as wood sources and to attract pollinators to agricultural fields.
This family of plants are used in varying ways as both food and medicine. The chokecherry was used in a variety of ways among Native American tribes to treat a wide array of problems. Boiled bark infusions are used to treat respiratory issues and fevers. The hydrocyanic acid from the berries is used in small doses as digestion, breathing, and pain relieving aids. Chokeberry tea is used for labor pain as well. These active ingredients are used in various forms to treat diarrhea. In addition, the plant is steeped in rice wine tonic and used as a digestive tincture before meals. Prunus avium and Prunus campanulata are less documented with medicinal uses, but all cherry fruits contain toxins that, in small doses, are used to treat respiratory issues and aid digestion. The cherries of all three trees are astringent but edible, and contain toxic seeds. The fruit stalks of the Prunus avium are used for respiratory stimulation, though the seeds are noted to be especially poisonous.