Prunus × pugetensis facts for kids

The Prunus × pugetensis is a special kind of cherry tree. It's a "hybrid" species, which means it's a mix of two different cherry trees. Scientists found this unique tree growing in the Pacific Northwest part of North America. People often call it the Puget Sound cherry.

This hybrid cherry tree is a cross between two other cherry types:

• The sweet cherry (called Prunus avium), which is a common tree brought to North America from other places.
• The Oregon cherry (called Prunus emarginata), which is a tree naturally found in the Pacific Northwest.

You can find the Puget Sound cherry growing in places like British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon. These areas are also where the native Oregon cherry naturally grows.

How Is It Different?

The Puget Sound cherry has some features that make it stand out from its parent trees.

Compared to the Sweet Cherry

• Its leaves are narrower than those of the sweet cherry.
• Its flowers are smaller and grow on a stem called a peduncle.

Compared to the Oregon Cherry

• Its leaves are wider than those of the Oregon cherry.
• Its flowers are larger than those of the Oregon cherry.

Reproduction and Fruit

One of the biggest differences about the Puget Sound cherry is how it produces flowers and fruit. Most of its flowers do not develop properly. This means the tree almost never grows any fruit. It is very rare to find fruit on a Puget Sound cherry tree.