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Prunus besseyi Rosaceae
Sand Cherry, Western Sand Cherry PROO-nus BES-se-i
- Deciduous shrub, suckering, spreading, to 4-6 ft (1.2-1.6 m) tall and wide. Leaves alternate, simple, oval, oval-lanceolate, occasionally obovate, 4.5-6.5 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, narrower on fruiting branches, margin finely serrate, tip acute, base often wedge-shaped, upper surface dark to gray-green. Flowers white, appear with leaves, about 15 mm across, 5 petals, 25-30 stamens. Fruit globose to ovoid, about 15 mm, purplish-black, glossy; edible, used for pies, jellies and jams.
- Sun to part shade. Tolerates cold, heat, wind, and drought.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 3 Native range from Manitoba to Wyoming and Colorado, east to Minnesota and Kansas.
- besseyi: after Charles E. Bessey (1845-1915), American botanist, considered one of the great developers of botanical education in the U.S.