Prunus emarginata

Prunus emarginata Common Names bittercherry Family Rose Flower Color White Plant Type Shrub - Tree Location McCall Native Yes Weed No

The bittercherry is more shrub-like than tree-like.

The bitter fruits are edible, though not favorable in flavor, and is best used in jams. Traditionally the fruits were eaten fresh or dried for future use by the Coeur d'Alene, Thompson, and Shuswap. The cherry bark can be peeled from the tree and polished to a rich red. Strips of the bark have been woven into decorative baskets to give color to their work.