Cherry

Cherries are the fruit of certain species of trees belonging to the genus Prunus in the rose family, Rosaceae. The genus also includes the plum, peach, apricot, and almond. Cherries are native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and more than 1,000 varieties are grown in the United States alone.

The range from the chokecherry and the bitter cherry, to the two broad groups that are most widely cultivated, and sour cherries, which are sold fresh or canned, and sour cherries, which are processed for pile filling and jams and jellies. Sour cherries are generally hardier that sweet cherries and are self-fertile most sweet cherry trees must be cross pollinated with other varieties in order to bear fruit abundantly.

Cherries are globular smooth skinned fruits with a single pit or stone, and they range from 6 to 25 mm (1/4 to 1 in) in diameter. Most cultivated cherries are bright red in color when ripe. Many kinds of cherry trees, particularly the wild black cherry, are highly valued for their beautiful wood. Japanese cherries are grown as ornamentals for this attractive flowers.

The cherry tree is for its fragrant blossoms and its fruit, although some trees - such as the Japanese varieties in Washington DC. are grown solely for ornament.

Other Fruits:

• Ruspberry
• Orange
• Hickory