Flowers of Prunus americana

Identification

Usually found in dense clusters, Prunus Americana is a shrubby, think-trunked tree with alternate, simple leaves. Growing in the open however, allows it to grow up to about 30 feet, as a rounded tree with low branches. The leaves are finely toothed and oblong in shape, flimsy, and appear wrinkled, growing to about three or four inches. The bark of the tree develops from a smooth, greyish-brown into a slightly darker rough bark with sharp thorns. The fruit is a deep red, about an inch thick, surrounded by five white petals. These flowers, with prominent stamen are renowned for their beauty and the tree is sometimes cultivated for strictly decorative purposes in gardens and homes. Blooming season is March before foliage, and the fruits ripen in the early to mid summer, giving off a very strong aroma.