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Prunus emarginata

(Dougl. ex Hook.) Walp.

Bitter Cherry

G5Secure Found in 182 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149169
Element CodePDROS1C0D0
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 Names
bitter cherry (EN) Cerisier amer (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, 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 Comments
FNA (vol. 9, 2014) does not recognize distinct varieties in Prunus emarginata.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-12-02
Change Date1990-01-16
Edition Date2025-12-02
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Prunus emarginata is a wide-ranging shrub or tree found in a variety of habitats, including along streams, slopes, conifer and oak forests, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, and chaparral. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia, Canada, and Montana, United States, south to New Mexico and California, and Baja California, Mexico. There are over 1500 occurrences, which face threats from grazing, intense fires, insect pests, and disease, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Prunus emarginata occurs in western North America from British Columbia, Canada, and Montana, United States, south to New Mexico and California, and Baja California, Mexico (FNA 2014). Range extent was estimated to be over 2.5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by grazing, intense fires (especially during growing season), insect pests (such as aphids, borers, and tent caterpillars), and disease (including trunk and root rot fungi), and other threats in some places (Esser 1995), though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Prunus emarginata grows from the lowlands to subalpine habitats in loam, sandy loam, "gravelly or sandy soil along streams, rocky mountain slopes,... thickets on exposed sites, cutover and burned areas, understory of conifer and oak forests," yellow pine forest, red fir forest, and chaparral (Esser 1995, FNA 2014, Calflora 2025, Weinmann et al. 2025).

Ecology

This species sprouts vigorously after fire, but it can be top-killed or killed by severe fires (Esser 1995). It is generally intolerant of shade, proliferating after clearcutting but declining as forest canopies close (Esser 1995). Many songbirds and mammals (including mule deer, elk, and black bear) eat the fruits, and deer, elk, and livestock (especially sheep) browse the foliage (Esser 1995, Wildflower Center 2025).

Reproduction

This species reproduces vegetatively by root crown and root sprouts (Esser 1995). It flowers from April to July and fruits from June to September (FNA 2014). Fruits are eaten and dispersed by birds and mammals (Esser 1995).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparral
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
UtahS1Yes
WyomingSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
New MexicoSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
ArizonaSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
OregonSNRYes
MontanaS4Yes
NevadaSNRYes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureUnknownUnknownUnknown
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingUnknownUnknownUnknown
7 - Natural system modificationsUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1.1 - Increase in fire frequency/intensityUnknownUnknownUnknown
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.2.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.4 - Problematic species/diseases of unknown originUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.4.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (182)
California (107)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
Bell MeadowStanislaus National Forest7,968
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Blue Creek Rare ISix Rivers National Forest12,134
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Butt Mtn.Lassen National Forest8,217
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest6,618
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle Crags AShasta-Trinity National Forest113
Castle Crags BShasta-Trinity National Forest1,619
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest1,269
Cub CreekLassen National Forest8,643
CypressLassen National Forest3,380
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
EbbettsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest255
Elk CreekMendocino National Forest23,182
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest26,031
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Hoover - Emma LakeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,007
Hoover - Green Ck NoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest7,155
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Twin LakesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest102
Hoover - Valley RidgeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest564
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Iceberg - Silver Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest294
Indian CreekKlamath National Forest5,011
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
Keddie RidgeLassen National Forest3,864
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Lakes BasinTahoe National Forest557
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill CreekLassen National Forest7,587
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
Mokelumne - SprattHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest613
Mt. LassicSix Rivers National Forest6,643
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
Mt. RebaStanislaus National Forest3,869
Mt. Shasta AShasta-Trinity National Forest676
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
Mystic (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest836
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Poison HoleEldorado National Forest2,627
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
ShuteyeSierra National Forest7,313
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
Silver HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,423
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
Snow MountainLassen National Forest2,165
SoldierModoc National Forest10,102
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
WaterhouseStanislaus National Forest4,394
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
Wild Cattle MtnLassen National Forest4,965
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
Idaho (4)
AreaForestAcres
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Montana (3)
AreaForestAcres
Alexander Creek #696Kootenai National Forest6,719
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Nevada (5)
AreaForestAcres
Mystic (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,644
Rose - Alum CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest853
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Dry CreekGila National Forest26,719
Oregon (32)
AreaForestAcres
Badger CreekMt. Hood National Forest847
Boulder ParkWallowa-Whitman National Forest12,141
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Bulldog RockUmpqua National Forest6,056
Bulldog RockWillamette National Forest559
Castle Rock AppendageUmpqua National Forest4,649
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
Grande RondeUmatilla National Forest12,296
Greenhorn Mtn.Umatilla National Forest11,191
Hanan TrailFremont National Forest8,111
Hardesty MountainUmpqua National Forest2,597
Jaussaud CorralUmatilla National Forest5,535
Jumpoff JoeUmatilla National Forest5,516
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
LookingglassUmatilla National Forest4,859
Lookout MountainOchoco National Forest14,115
Mcclellan MountainMalheur National Forest21,213
Metolius BreaksDeschutes National Forest11,141
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
Myrtle SilviesMalheur National Forest11,679
Nipple ButteMalheur National Forest11,354
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests91,560
ReservoirWallowa-Whitman National Forest13,641
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
Twin LakesMt. Hood National Forest6,055
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Washington (30)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
Asotin CreekUmatilla National Forest16,433
Bear CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,980
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Gotchen CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,518
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest4,692
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Silver StarGifford Pinchot National Forest7,779
Stormy Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest32,612
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
Wenatchee CreekUmatilla National Forest15,315
Willow SpringsUmatilla National Forest10,414
References (12)
  1. CalFlora. 2025. Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. Berkeley, California: The CalFlora Database [web application]. Available: http://www.calflora.org/. (Accessed 2025).
  2. Esser, L. L. 1995. <i>Prunus emarginata</i>. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Online. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pruema/all.html (accessed 2025).
  3. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2014b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 9. Magnoliophyta: Picramniaceae to Rosaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 713 pp.
  4. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  5. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  6. Kartesz, 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.
  7. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  8. Munz, P.A., with D.D. Keck. 1959. A California flora. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 1681 pp.
  9. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  10. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  11. Weinmann, F., P.F. Zika, D.E. Giblin, B. Legler. 2002+. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Washington State. University of Washington Herbarium. Online. Available: http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/waflora/checklist.php (Accessed 2025).
  12. Wildflower Center. 2025. Native Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Austin Texas. Online. Available: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/ (accessed 2025).