Prunus cerasus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 474. 1753; C. hortensis Miller; P. vulgaris (Miller) Schur.

Trees to 10 m tall, usually producing root suckers; crown subglobular. Bark dark brown, with lateral lined lenticels, exfoliating. Branches spreading to drooping; young branchlets green, becoming reddish brown, glabrous. Stipules linear, to 8 mm, margin glandular serrate. Petiole 1–2(–5) cm, with or without 1 or 2 nectaries; leaf blade elliptic-obovate to ovate, 5–7(–12) × 3–5(–8) cm, abaxially glabrous or pubescent when young, base cuneate and often with 2–4 nectaries, margin finely biserrulate and teeth with a very short cartilaginous apical cusp, apex acuminate to tapering to a short mucro. Inflorescences umbellate, 2–4-flowered, often with erect leaflike bracts. Flowers 2–2.5 cm in diam., opening at same time as leaves. Pedicel 1.5–3.5 cm. Hypanthium campanulate to obconical, outside glabrous. Sepals triangular, reflexed, margin glandular serrate. Petals white, 1–1.3 cm. Drupe pale red, globose to apically flattened, 1.2–1.5 cm in diam.; mesocarp yellowish and sour; endocarp brown, globose, 7–8 mm in diam., smooth, adnate to mesocarp. Fl. Apr–May, fr. Jun–Jul. 2n = 32.

This species is cultivated for its fruit and as an ornamental.

Cultivated throughout China. [native to SW Asia and Europe].