Britannica says cherry refers to any of various trees belonging to the genus Prunus and their edible fruits. Britannica Cherries belong to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, Britannica says. Britannica
The native habitat of the species from which the cultivated cherries came, Britannica says, is believed to be in western Asia and eastern Europe from the Caspian Sea to the Balkans. Britannica Cherries are grown in all areas of the world where winter temperatures are not too severe and where summer temperatures are moderate, Britannica says. They require winter cold in order to blossom in spring. Britannica
Three types of cherries are mainly grown for their fruits, which are fleshy drupes (stone fruit): sweet cherries, tart cherries, and, grown to a much smaller extent, the dukes, which are crosses of sweet and sour cherries. Britannica
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium), Britannica says, is the species cultivated for its sweet, edible fruits. It is one of three types grown commercially, the others being tart cherries and dukes. Britannica Borne in small rounded clusters, the showy white flowers have five petals and numerous stamens, Britannica says. Britannica
The sweet cherry fruit is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit) borne on a long stem, generally heart-shaped to nearly globular, about 2 cm (1 inch) in diameter, with a low acid content and a sweet, mildly tart flavour. Britannica The sweet cherry fruit measures about 2 cm (1 inch) in diameter and varies in colour from yellow through red to nearly black, Britannica says. The acid content of the sweet cherry is low. Britannica
The higher acid content of the tart cherry produces its characteristic sour flavour, Britannica says. The fruit is generally dark to bright red and has so much acid that it is not appealing for eating fresh. Britannica The fruits of all varieties, Britannica says, provide vitamin A and small amounts of such minerals as calcium and phosphorus. Britannica
A fleshy drupe — a stone fruit — about 2 cm across in Britannica’s wording, on a long stem. The stone contains amygdalin. Not to scale.Drawing: our own, simplified and not to scale
The tree itself
Sweet cherry trees are large and rather upright, Britannica says, attaining heights up to 11 metres (36 feet). The trees are deciduous and bear simple, toothed leaves alternately along the stems. Each leaf has a pair of characteristic glands at the base of the leaf blade. Britannica
Eleven metres, or a rootstock tree?
Britannica says sweet cherry trees are large and rather upright, attaining heights up to 11 metres (36 feet). The RHS says ungrafted cherries grow into large trees that aren’t suitable for smaller gardens, and that commercial trees are usually grafted onto a rootstock that controls size — ‘Gisela 5’ or ‘Colt’, at a few metres, not eleven. The 11-metre figure describes the species; garden trees on a rootstock are kept much smaller.
The trees bloom quite early in the spring, just after peaches and earlier than apples, Britannica says. Britannica In Asia, particularly Japan, cherry varieties have been selected for the beauty of their pink or white flowers, and most of them do not set fruit, Britannica says. Members of the genus Prunus typically have flowers with five petals, though many ornamental cherries have been developed to produce double blooms. Britannica
In the United States, Britannica says, cherrywood used in furniture making is typically from black cherry (Prunus serotina). The wood of sweet cherry is also used. Cherry wood has a characteristic warm, deep red colour. Britannica
The stone
The pit of each cherry fruit houses the seed and contains a cyanide compound known as amygdalin, Britannica says. An intact pit will likely pass harmlessly through the body if accidentally swallowed, but pits that have been ground, crushed or chewed can cause cyanide poisoning if consumed in sufficient amounts. Cherries should not be put whole into smoothies or juiced without first removing the pits. Britannica