Prunus besseyi

Read about Prunus besseyi in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
Prunus besseyi, Bailey (P. pumila var. Besseyi, Waugh. P. Rosebudii, Reagan. P. prunella, Daniels). Western Sand Cherry. Figs. 3231,3232. Known from P. pumila by its more prostrate habit, lvs. spreading (more erect in P. pumila), broad and thick, usually elliptic, elliptic-oval, or elliptic- lanceolate: stipules on strong shoots, large and green; serrate: fr. nearly or quite twice larger, on short stalks, usually sweet, in certain selected forms as much as 3/4in. diam. This is the sand cherry of the Plains and the W., ranging from Kans. to Man., and west to Wyo. and Colo. B.M. 8156.— The original of the Improved Rocky Mountain cherry, a plant grown for its large sweet fr. Large-fruited forms of this species are much prized on the Plains for pies and other cookery, and the species is promising horticulturally. Many hybrids with other species of Prunus have been secured by Hansen. The species ia useful as a stock for certain other cherries, plums, and even peaches for cold countries where the trees must be protected. See Hansen, Bull. No. 87, S. Dak. Exp. Sta. (1904), and subsequent bulletins. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.