Purple-leaf plum Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii'

Names

• Family

  Rosaceae.

• Synonyms

  Purpleleaf Plum, Cherry Plum, Purple-leafed Plum, Purple Cherry Plum, Pissard Plum, Ornamental Plum, Pissard's Cherry Plum.

• Common names

  Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea', Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', Prunus pissardii, Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii.

Toxicity

• To humans

  The Purple-leaf Plum Tree, commonly known as the Cherry Plum, can be toxic to humans if certain parts are ingested. The pits or seeds inside the fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when digested. Consuming large quantities of these seeds could result in poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, difficulty breathing, and potentially can lead to coma or death if ingested in enough quantity. The fruit flesh itself is not toxic and is commonly eaten, but caution should be taken to avoid ingesting the seeds.

• To pets

  The Cherry Plum can also be toxic to pets if ingested. Similar to humans, the seeds or pits of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides which can turn into cyanide upon digestion. If pets consume large amounts of these pits, they could suffer from cyanide poisoning. Symptoms in pets can include dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock. In severe cases, ingestion of Cherry Plum seeds can be fatal to pets. Pet owners should prevent their animals from having access to the seeds of this plant.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Purple

• Flower color

  Pink

• Height

  15-20 feet (4.6-6 meters)

• Spread

  15-20 feet (4.6-6 meters)

• Plant type

  Tree

• Hardiness zones

  5-8

• Native area

  Western Asia

General Benefits

• Ornamental value: The Cherry Plum is known for its attractive purple foliage and spring blossoms, which add aesthetic appeal to landscapes.
• Shade provider: It can be used as a shade tree in gardens and urban settings, offering relief from the sun during the hotter months.
• Wildlife attraction: The flowers provide nectar for pollinators like bees, while the fruit can attract birds and other wildlife.
• Low maintenance: Cherry Plum trees generally require minimal pruning and care once established, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
• Drought tolerance: Once established, these trees have good resistance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Privacy screen: When planted in a row, Cherry Plum trees can form a dense, colorful hedge or screen, enhancing privacy and reducing noise pollution.
• Soil stabilization: The root system helps prevent soil erosion, making it a good choice for sloping landscapes.
• Compact size: Cherry Plum trees are not excessively large, making them suitable for smaller gardens or urban spaces where there isn't room for a full-size tree.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii', commonly known as Purple-leaf plum, can be used in woodworking projects for its decorative wood, which is hard and dense, making it suitable for crafting small wooden items like handles and knobs.
• The dried stems of the Purple-leaf plum can be used as a natural dye source, producing colors ranging from green to brown when used in traditional textile dying processes.
• Leaves of the Purple-leaf plum can be incorporated into handmade paper to add texture and color, giving the paper an artisanal and decorative quality.
• Pruning clippings from the Purple-leaf plum, which are often discarded, can serve as an organic mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds in garden beds.
• The blossoms of the Purple-leaf plum can be used in floral arrangements to provide a striking contrast with their deep pink to reddish hues, complementing a variety of floral designs.
• Branches from the Purple-leaf plum can be used in landscaping to create natural fencing or barriers, taking advantage of their growth habit and the visual appeal of their foliage.
• When allowed to ferment, fallen fruit from the Purple-leaf plum can attract beneficial insects to gardens, which can help with pollination and pest control.
• The fruit of the Purple-leaf plum can be used in crafting bird feeders or bird food blends to attract and feed various bird species in gardens and backyards.
• Artists may use the dark leaves of the Purple-leaf plum for botanical prints, where the foliage is used to create unique patterns and designs on fabric or paper.
• The intense color of the Purple-leaf plum's leaves and flowers can serve as an inspiration in landscape painting or photography, drawing on the tree's aesthetic qualities to enhance artistic compositions.

Feng Shui

The Purple-leaf plum is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Purple-leaf plum is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Renewal: Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii', commonly known as the Purple-leaf Plum, blooms early in the spring, representing new beginnings and the awakening of nature after winter.
• Inspiration: The striking purple leaves and beautiful pink to white blossoms can symbolize creativity and the muse, inspiring artists and viewers alike.
• Impermanence: The fleeting beauty of the blossoms, which only last a short while before falling, reflects the transience of life and the fleeting nature of beauty.
• Hope: As one of the first plants to bloom in the year, the Purple-leaf Plum serves as a sign that even after the darkest times, there is hope and light ahead.
• Beauty and Purity: The delicate flowers of the Purple-leaf Plum are often associated with purity and the sublime beauty of nature.