L. f.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.136606
Element CodePDROS1C140
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusPrunus
Other Common NamesCerisier de Pennsylvanie (FR) pin cherry (EN) Pin Cherry (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsFNA (vol. 9, 2014) does not recognize distinct varieties in Prunus pensylvanica.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-13
Change Date1984-04-16
Edition Date2025-06-13
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPrunus pensylvanica is a tree or shrub occurring in disturbed sites, clearings, roadsides, open forests, hillsides, cliffs, and along streams and lakeshores of North America, from British Columbia and the Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland, Canada, south to Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois, and west to Colorado in the United States, and in Europe as an introduced species. There are over 1,800 occurrences of this species rangewide, which are potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Prunus pensylvanica is adapted to some degree of disturbance, and rapidly forms thickets following fire, logging, and mining. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Prunus pensylvanica is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPrunus pensylvanica occurs in North America, from British Columbia and the Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland, Canada, south to Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois, and west to Colorado in the United States (FNA 2014). It also occurs in Europe (Finland, Great Britain, Sweden, and Russia) as an introduced taxon (POWO 2025). The native range extent was estimated to be over 11.3 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 1,800 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsPrunus pensylvanica is adapted to some degree of disturbance, rapidly colonizing sites following fire, logging, and mining (Native Plant Trust 2025). Threats are not widely documented but potentially include development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.