Fire Cherry
EntdeckenPflanzen
Fire Cherry
prunus pensylvanica
The Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), also known as the pin cherry, is a vibrant, fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America. Characterized by its rapid colonization of disturbed sites, this pioneer species often springs up in abundance after forest fires, logging operations, or land clearing—hence its fiery common name. It plays a critical ecological role in soil stabilization and early-successional forest development, preparing the ground for longer-lived species. Beyond its ecological utility, the Fire Cherry offers a beautiful seasonal display, from delicate clusters of white blossoms in early spring to bright red, translucent drupes in late summer.
Lebensraum: Found in recently disturbed areas, forest edges, burned sites, and clearings across temperate North America.
Aussehen
The Fire Cherry typically grows as a small tree or large shrub reaching 5 to 15 meters in height, featuring a narrow, rounded crown and slender, ascending branches. Its bark is thin, smooth, and reddish-brown, marked by prominent, horizontal orange-colored lenticels that become rough and fissured with age. The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, finely serrated, and a shiny yellow-green, turning bright yellow or red in autumn. In spring, it produces small, star-like white flowers with five petals clustered in flat-topped umbels, which later mature into small, bright red, spherical cherries about 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter, suspended on long, thin stalks.
ReichPlantaeStammTracheophytaKlasseMagnoliopsidaOrdnungRosalesFamilieRosaceaeGattungPrunus
Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
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Interessante Fakten
A single fire cherry tree can produce thousands of seeds that can remain viable, buried deep in forest soil, for over 100 years waiting for sunlight.
Its wood is lightweight and close-grained, and while too small for heavy lumber, it is sometimes used for making high-quality tobacco pipes.
The common name 'Pin Cherry' comes from the way the tiny cherries sit at the end of long, slender stems, closely resembling pins stuck into a pin cushion.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Fire-Triggered Regeneration
Its seeds can lie dormant in the soil seed bank for up to a century, germinating rapidly when triggered by the heat and light of a forest fire.
Fähigkeit
Rapid Pioneer Growth
It grows exceptionally fast in full sunlight, quickly establishing a canopy that stabilizes soil and prevents erosion in disturbed areas.
Fähigkeit
Nectar-Producing Glands
The leaves feature small extrafloral nectaries near the base of the blade that secrete sweet nectar, attracting ants and other predatory insects that defend the tree from herbivores.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 500-1500 cm
- Lebenserwartung
- 20-40 Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photoautotrophic plant, the Fire Cherry synthesizes its own organic nutrients from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Minerals
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
host plant
Cecropia moth
Hyalophora cecropia
Caterpillars feed on the foliage of the tree, utilizing it as a vital larval host plant.
eaten by
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
Feeds heavily on the ripe cherries during late summer and distributes the seeds in its droppings.
eaten by
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Feeds on the bark, twigs, and sweet cherries, often breaking branches to reach the fruit.
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
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Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Fire Cherry?
Der einfachste Weg, Fire Cherry zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Fire Cherry?
500-1500 cm
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Fire Cherry?
20-40 Jahre
Was frisst Fire Cherry?
As a photoautotrophic plant, the Fire Cherry synthesizes its own organic nutrients from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Wo findet man Fire Cherry normalerweise?
Found in recently disturbed areas, forest edges, burned sites, and clearings across temperate North America.
Snap-Karte
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