Black cherry
Prunus serotina
A woodland tree with small dark cherries carried in hanging clusters. Ripe fruit flesh is used in preserves; this is a different species from cultivated sweet cherry.
Native range
Eastern North America, including Ontario. Widespread in Toronto-region woodlands and edges.
Typical season
Broad late-summer fruit reference; timing and crop size vary. Only identified ripe fruit flesh is the food reference.
Identification
Compare narrow alternate toothed leaves, racemes of white flowers, dark fruit and mature bark with curled scaly plates. Seeds, leaves and twigs contain cyanogenic compounds. Remove stones intact; never blend or crush whole fruit, and do not use foliage or bark as food.