Definition

Noun 1. A species of wild cherry tree: A large North American deciduous tree (Prunus serotina) known for its dark bark, clusters of white flowers, and small, round fruit. 2. The fruit of this tree: The small, round, blackish fruit of the rum cherry tree. It is edible but typically sour or bitter when raw.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the tree):
  • The rum cherry is a valuable source of wood for furniture making.
  • We identified a rum cherry by its distinctive, dark, scaly bark.
• Noun (referring to the fruit):
  • The birds feast on the rum cherries when they ripen in late summer.
  • While sour, rum cherries can be used to make jellies and syrups.

Advanced Usage

• The name "rum cherry" is a common name. Its formal botanical name is .
• Other common names for the same tree include black cherry, wild black cherry, or mountain black cherry. The choice of name often depends on regional usage.

Variants and Related Words

• Black cherry: The most widely used common name for , often used interchangeably with "rum cherry."
• Wild cherry: A general term that can refer to (rum cherry) or other uncultivated cherry species.

Synonyms

• Black cherry (n): The primary synonym for the tree .
• Wild black cherry (n): Emphasizes the tree's uncultivated, native status.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "rum cherry" specifically denotes the North American species . It should not be confused with cultivated sweet or sour cherry trees found in orchards.
• The "rum" in the name does not imply the fruit tastes like rum. The origin of this part of the name is uncertain but may be related to the color or a historical use.

Noun

1. large North American wild cherry with round black sour edible fruit