Description
Cherry (scientific name: Cerasus spp.) is a collective name for several plants in the Rosaceae and Sakura genus. There are only four kinds of cherries cultivated in the world, namely cherries (Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G. Don), European sweet cherries (Cerasus avium (L.) Moench.), European sour cherries (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) and Mao Cherries (Cerasus tomentosa (Thunb.) Wall.). Among them, cherries, sweet cherries and sour cherries play an important role in production. Trees or shrubs, 2-25 meters high, with off-white or dark-brown bark. Branchlets gray-brown or gray-brown, twigs green, glabrous or sparsely pilose. Winter buds are oval-elliptic and glabrous. The leaf blades are ovoid, elliptical or oblong-ovate, the apex is sharply pointed or shortly acuminate, and the base is round or wedge-shaped. Inflorescences are umbel-shaped, with 3-4 flowers, with flowers and leaves blooming; pedicels are 0.8-3.4 cm long, sparsely pilose or glabrous; sepals are triangular-ovate or ovate-oblong, apex obtuse or acutely pointed; The petals are white or pink, obovate. The drupe is nearly spherical or ovoid, red to purple-black, 0.9-2.5 cm in diameter. Flowering period from March to May, fruit period from May to September.
Mainly distributed in Europe, Asia and North America. Born in hillside forests, forest edges, shrubs or grasslands. The suitable soil pH is 6.5-7.5 in a neutral environment, and it grows better on the sandy loam with deep soil layer, loose soil texture and well-ventilated soil.
Cherries have been cultivated for a long time in China, and there are many varieties, for food, and also for making cherry wine. Branches, leaves, roots, and flowers can also be used for medicinal purposes. In addition to fresh food, it can also be processed into cherry sauce, cherry juice, canned cherries and preserved fruits, wine, etc. It has a bright red color and an almond-like aroma, which makes people fascinated by food. Cherries are also a better ingredient in dishes
