Western Sandcherry
Latin: <i>Prunus besseyi</i><br/>
In the wild
A small, winter-hardy, relatively short-lived shrub native to the Northern Great Plains. Edible fruits which are dark purple to black. Purpleleaf Sandcherry, a hybrid, is a popular landscape shrub. Fruits are relished by many songbirds. Nesting cover for a few species of songbirds. Makes good loafing and roosting cover for song and game birds, also browsed by deer.
The Western Sandcherry is in the family <i>Prunus</i>, just like the Chokecherry.
Usage
Fruits are eaten fresh, dried, or processed as jellies and pies. Prunus species have been used for coughs and colds, as a antibiotic and in cancer research.
