The Herbarium at the University of Georgia Poisonous Plants of Georgia
The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Wild Black Cherry Prunus spp. L.
Family:
 Rosaceae
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This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
Description:
 This group of plants includes many common fruit trees such as cherry, peach, and plum. The fleshy fruits are cultivated for food. These fruits are usually referred to as "stone" fruits as they are fleshy fruits surrounding a hard seed. The trees are said to have a bitter-almond odor when the twigs are broken. The leaves may be deciduous or evergreen. The inflorescence is a cluster of white to pink flowers
Toxic Part: The leaves and seeds are potentially toxic.
Toxin: The leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides. The glycosides are compartmentalized separately from their catabolic enzymes in the leaf tissue. When the tissue is damaged (for e xample,chewed) the glycosides react with the enzymes to release hydrocyanic acid. At certain stages of development the seeds do not contain the necessary enzymes to release this acid and may be considered unable to produce toxins.
Symptoms: In ruminants ( cows), the glycosides are converted to hyrdocyanic acid faster with the help of rumen microorganisms. In the rumen, the hydrocyanic acid is absorbed quickly into the blood stream causing this type of poisoning occur rapidly in ruminants. Symptoms include anorexia, weakness, depression, compulsive clenching of the teeth, straining at urination or defecation, and possible seizures. Dogs, cattle, and horses have been poisoned after consumption of Prunus leaves. It should be noted that humans are susceptible to P. virginiana poisoning (chokecherry).
Treatment: Most cases can be successfully treated with sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate which are methemoglobin drugs
References: 24, 94, 159, 176, 184
This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.