Prunus padus
Prunus padus
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Pl. EB19 — Prunus padus
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IOverview
Overview
Prunus padus, commonly known as the bird cherry or black chokeberry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5 and 7, making it adaptable but preferring well-drained conditions. This plant can grow up to 15 meters tall and is known for its edible parts—flowers, fruit, leaves, and seeds—which are often used in culinary applications. Native to regions including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, and other European countries as well as parts of Asia such as China and Japan, Prunus padus has a wide native range. Its light energy requirement and hardiness zone 3-6 make it suitable for various climates within its native habitat.
Quick answers
What is Prunus padus?
Prunus padus, commonly known as the bird cherry or black chokeberry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5 and 7, making it adaptable but preferring well-drained conditions.
What is Prunus padus used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Prunus padus
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Prunus padus appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Prunus padus has a long history in traditional medicine for digestive issues, particularly as an aid to relieve bloating and indigestion. It is often prepared as a decoction.
The plant contains compounds like tannins which can help reduce inflammation and soothe the gastrointestinal tract. However, the specific mechanism of action is not fully characterised.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Prunus padus support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Prunus padus thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5 and 7. It prefers full to partial sunlight, with a hardiness rating of zones 3-6, making it suitable for temperate regions. This shrub or small tree grows up to 15 meters tall and is native to Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist while providing adequate drainage. Propagate through seeds or cuttings. Harvest edible parts including flowers, fruit, leaves, and seeds for various uses.
Light
6/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-6
Habit
Shrub, Tree
Mature size
15.0 m tall
Soil pH
5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Prunus padus for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Prunus padus in a well-prepared soil and follow basic care instructions for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Prunus padus saplings, garden gloves, spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late autumn when the soil is workable and temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 5 and 7. Amend heavy clay soils with sand for better drainage.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant saplings from containers into your garden, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as in their pots.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for any signs of stress or pests.
- 6
Ongoing care
Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune annually to encourage healthy growth and remove any damaged or diseased branches. Flowers can be harvested for decorative purposes.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil without amending, neglecting winter protection in colder regions.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersFruitLeavesSeed
Edible uses: Tea
Other uses:DyeLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe14 regions
native (14)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryIrelandItalyRussiaUkraine
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanKazakhstanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Altay, Amur, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Czechoslovakia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · eb19a5fe-715a-4013-9448-b2d169644df8
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