Family: rose family (Rosaceae)
Flowering time: May–June
Size: about 10 m
Habitat: moist deciduous forests, living hedges and banks of water
Bird cherry (Prunus padus) grows into a shrub or tree about 10 m tall. Long racemes of fragrant flowers develop at the same time as the leaves. The inflorescences of numerous fragrant flowers are initially erect, but later bend downward. White flowers, measuring 10 to 15 mm in diameter, are five-petalled. The margin of the petiolate leaves is finely, evenly serrated. The leaf blade of soft broad-ovate leaves is 6 to 12 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide. Their surface is not glossy.
Ripe spherical drupes are about 7 mm in diameter. The glossy black fruits are bitter in taste and not edible! Bird cherry is widespread across Slovenia, but is most common in the northeastern part.
