Gray-leaf cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gray-leaf cherry |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Closeup of the bark | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Cerasus canescens (Bois) S.Ya.Sokolov |
Prunus canescens, also known as the gray-leaf cherry, is a type of cherry tree. It comes from China, specifically from the Hubei and Sichuan provinces. This plant is usually a small, shrub-like tree. It grows to about 3 meters (almost 10 feet) tall.
The gray-leaf cherry is special because it has attractive, shiny brown bark. People sometimes grow it just for its beauty. It is also important because it is a parent to several hybrid plants. These hybrid plants are often used as rootstock for growing sweet cherries.
Contents
What is Prunus canescens?
The gray-leaf cherry is a member of the Prunus family. This family includes many well-known trees like cherries, plums, and peaches. Its scientific name, Prunus canescens, means "hoary" or "grayish" in Latin. This refers to the slightly gray color of its leaves.
This cherry tree is not very big. It grows more like a large bush than a tall tree. Its unique bark makes it stand out in a garden.
How are Hybrids Made?
A hybrid plant is created when two different types of plants are crossed. It's like having a baby with parents from two different families. Prunus canescens is often used as a parent in these crosses. This helps create new types of cherry trees with special features.
Important Cherry Hybrids
One example of a hybrid is Prunus × schmittii. This tree is a mix of Prunus avium (the sweet cherry) and Prunus canescens. Prunus × schmittii is grown for its beautiful appearance.
Another important group of hybrids is the GiSeLa series. These are special rootstocks used for growing sweet cherries. A rootstock is the lower part of a tree, including the roots. The GiSeLa rootstocks are a cross between Prunus cerasus (the sour cherry) and Prunus canescens.
Why are Dwarfing Rootstocks Useful?
The GiSeLa rootstocks are known as "dwarfing" rootstocks. This means they make the cherry trees grafted onto them grow smaller. Smaller trees are easier to pick fruit from. They also take up less space in an orchard. This makes farming cherries more efficient.
