Taxon

Prunus pumila var. besseyi

 
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Prunus pumila var. besseyi - western sand cherry
Image: Meredith Yue
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Common name: western sand cherry
Family: Rosaceae (Rose)
Distribution: Central and Western United States, Central and Western Canada
Habitat: Prairies, rocky outcrops, woodland edges
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)
Life form: Deciduous shrub/sub-shrub
Occurrence in New Mexico: Exotic
Growing Conditions: The native range of the western sand cherry extends from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, south through the north-central states as far as northern Kansas, northern Colorado and northeastern Utah. It grows on sandy prairies, rocky outcrops, along streams and woodland edges, usually in part shade. Although it often grows in sandy soil in its native habitat, it also grows in loam and clay and has a high tolerance for calcareous soils. It prefers a medium amount of water, but tolerates hot and dry conditions. It may form dense colonies by sprouting from the roots.
Description: The western sand cherry is a suckering, spreading shrub that reaches 4-6 feet tall and wide. The leaves are 2-2½ inches long and ½-1 inch wide, oval or lance-shaped with a wedge-shaped base, leathery, with a finely toothed margin. White, 5-petaled flowers appear in clusters of 2-4, with the leaves in April to May. Glossy, purplish-black berries are edible.
Links: Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Taxonomy) • SEINet • Wildflower Center - Native Plant Database

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