Prunus rufoides facts for kids

Prunus rufoides (syn. Prunus dielsiana), called Diel's cherry, the tawny bark cherry, and in Chinese: 尾叶樱桃Chinese: [] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help), the tailed-leaf cherry, is a species of cherry native to China, preferring to grow at 500–1400 m above sea level, but reaching 1800 m. The fruits are eaten by masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) and the fruits, leaves and buds are eaten by gray snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi).

Description

It is shrub or tree, usually 5 to 10 m tall. Its bark is brownish‑gray. The leaves have a 0.8 to 1.7 mm petiole, and are elliptic to elliptic-obovate, from 6 to 14 cm long and 2.5 to 4.5 cm wide. The leaves are a darker green on the top surface, with the underside pilose, even villous on the veins. Typically the umbellate or subumbellate inflorescences have 2 to 6 flowers with white or pink petals. Each flower has 32–36 stamens. The fruit, a drupe, is red, 8 to 9 mm.

Distribution

Diel's cherry is found in Anhui, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces in China.