Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Tree
Height
25
to
50
ft.
Spread
20
to
35
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Alkaline, Calcareous, Rich, Well Drained, Moist
Light Requirement
Sun, Part Shade
Water Requirement
Low, Medium
Native Habitat
Woodland
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Season
Spring
Seasonal Interest
Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers
Wildlife Benefit
Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Moths, Bees
Maintenance
Prune to shape. Not for heavy soils. Easy to grow. Propagation: Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings , Softwood cuttings, Root cuttings.
Comments
Blooms March-May. Escarpment Black Cherry is a distinct and isolated geographic variety of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) found only in the calcareous soils of central Texas. Green leaves turn yellow in fall. Lacey blossoms in spring. Dark, red-purple fruit in fall. Foliage is toxic to humans. Larval Host: Red Admiral, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Columbia Silkmoth. Attracts pollinators.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Prunus serotina var. eximia
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRSEE. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=30303&locationType=County&mapType=Normal., 5) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=529886#null