Cerasus mahaleb
Cerasus mahaleb
Mahlep
Shrub or small tree up to 10 m; young shoots slender, glabrous or minutely puberulent. Stipules deciduous. Leaves orbicular to broadly ovate, up to 25-80 x 15-60 mm, glandular-crenate, glabrous or thinly pubescent along the midrib beneath; petioles up to 30 mm. Flowers 6-12, in lax racemes which are subtended by 2 small leaves; pedicels up to 20 mm; hypanthium broadly campanulate; petals white, c. 8 mm; ovary glabrous. Drupe ovoid, 6-12 x 4-10 mm, yellow at first, turning red then black; flesh bitter; stone smooth. FI. 3-5.
1. Leaves up to 60 x 50 mm; petioles up to 30 mm; drupes 7-12 x 6-10 mm var. mahaleb
1. Leaves up to 25 x 15 mm; petioles up to 10 mm; drupes 6 x 4 mm . var alpina
Distribution of species: C. & S. Europe, S.W. & C. Asia.
