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The Cherry Tree is named for its sweet sticky fruits, juicy and full
of tiny seeds. They are a favourite with birds and bats, which
disperse the seeds, and children too! The leaves are covered with
tiny sticky hairs.
Although it provides good shade, it is not a popular wayside tree
because the birds and bats that visit the tree also leave their
droppings under the tree.
The tree flourishes in poor soil, tolerating both acid and alkaline
conditions and quite drought resistant.
Main features: Small fast-growing tree with drooping branches that
give an umbrella-shaped crown. Grows up to 7-12m.
Leaves: Simple, covered with sticky hairs.
Flowers: Small, white. Last only one day, petals falling in the
afternoon.
Fruits: Small, round, juicy, green turning red when ripe. Very
sweet, musky, somewhat fig-like flavour, filled with tiny, yellowish
seeds, too fine to be noticed when the fruit is eaten.
Uses as food: The fruits are eaten in Mexico and sold in markets
there. Fruits are also made into jams and used in tarts. The leaf is
made into a tea. In Brazil, they are planted on river banks so their
fallen fruit attracts fish which are then caught. |
