Plate 074 · branch over a mountain stream IdentificationFive marks on the plate
- 1Oblong-lanceolate leaf, glossy with a toothed edge.
- 2Reddish-brown leaf stalk, standing out against the green.
- 3Short spike of yellowish-white flowers.
- 4Fuchsia to purple drupe, bitter-tasting.
- 5Thin bark, brown and fairly smooth.
Easily confused with Feral peachPrunus persicaNarrower leaf, large pink flowers and a big velvety fruit. 074 / 100 · PLANTS · ROSACEAELEAST CONCERN Tucumán wild cherry
Prunus tucumanensis
Palo luz · Mountain cherry
A wild cherry named after the province. It was described by Miguel Lillo, the Tucumán naturalist. It grows almost always beside streams, in montane forest and cloud woodland, and flowers in late winter.
- Height
- 6 – 10 m
- Altitude
- up to 2,500 m
- Flowering
- Jul – Sep
- Fruit
- purple drupe, Oct – Nov
- Evergreen
- Streamside
- Bird fruit
- Rose family
Altitude rangeDamp mountain ravines
Montane forest and woodland It grows in the montane forest and cloud woodland of the Yungas, up to about 2,500 m, almost always near streams.
EcologyA ravine cherry
- Moist soilstream banks
- Fruit-eating birdseat the drupes and carry the stone
- Insectsvisit the flowers
- Cloudmontane forest and woodland
Its drupes taste bitter to people, but forest birds eat them and spread the seeds.
Life cycleWinter flowers, spring fruit
J F M A M J J A S O N D FloweringRipe fruit - Winter flowers. From July to September it bears short spikes of yellowish-white flowers.
- Spring drupes. In October and November it ripens fuchsia to purple drupes, each with a stone.
- Close to water. It favours ravines and stream banks, where the soil stays moist.
Where to look in Tucumán- Sierra de San Javier
- Parque Provincial La Florida
- Río Los Sosa
- Cuesta del Clavillo
- PN Aconquija