Prunus mahaleb L.

Deciduous, densely leafy and rounded small tree or large shrub, up to 6–(10) m high when mature, not armed; trunk short. Lf petiole (6)–8–10 mm long, glabrous; blade thin, broadly elliptic-oblong to orbicular, (16)–20–35 × 15–32 mm, short-apiculate, rounded to slightly attenuate at base, glabrous and slightly shiny on upper surface, with scattered, sparse hairs on lower surface, the hairs denser near base; marginal teeth with small dark cusp; stipules short-triangular, deciduous. Infl. a raceme of (3)–8–12–(14) fragrant fls, on a very short to subsessile lateral shoot, 20–30–(50) mm long, arching; pedicels (3)–6–12–(16) mm long, glabrous, subtended by minute bracts. Hypanthium campanulate; sepals oblong to triangular, 1–2 mm long, rounded at apex, glabrous, greenish, becoming reflexed. Petals 5, spreading, oblong, (3)–4–5–(7) × 2–4 mm, ± rounded, white. Stamens ± = petals; filaments white. Fr. 6–8 × 5–7 mm, globose, glabrous, dark reddish, finally glossy black, very bitter; stone smooth.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.