Prunus perulata explained

Prunus perulata is a species of bird cherry native to Sichuan and Yunnan in China, preferring to grow at 2400–3200m. It is a tree typically 6–12m tall. Its flowers are borne on a raceme, quite small, with dull white to creamy-yellow petals.^[1] Its closest relative is Prunus buergeriana, from which it is morphologically and genetically distinct.^[2]

Ecology

Its fruit are consumed by the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus bieti.^[3] It is a forest gap specialist, taking advantage of treefalls to establish at the shadier edges of gaps.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. 1900 . unk . Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh . 17-18 . 206, 268 .
2. Liu . Xiao-Lin . Wen . Jun . Nie . Ze-Long . Johnson . Gabriel . Liang . Zong-Suo . Chang . Zhao-Yang . 14 December 2012 . Polyphyly of the Padus group of Prunus (Rosaceae) and the evolution of biogeographic disjunctions between eastern Asia and eastern North America . Journal of Plant Research . 126 . 3 . 351–361 . 10.1007/s10265-012-0535-1 . 23239308 . 5991106 .
3. Ding . Wei . Zhao . Qi-Kun . June 2004 . Rhinopithecus bieti at Tacheng, Yunnan: Diet and Daytime Activities . International Journal of Primatology . 25 . 3 . 583–598 . 10.1023/B:IJOP.0000023576.60883.e5 . 36806323 .
4. Gong . Hede . Yang . Xiaojun . Ma . Yuewei . Cheng . Xiping . 2013 . Composition and spatio-temporal distribution of tree seedlings in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Ailao Mountains, Yunnan . Range MGMT. & Agroforestry . 34 . 1 . 33–38 . 26 August 2018.
5. Web site: Prunus perulata Koehne | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.