Prunus serotina Ehrh

Rosaceae; wild black cherry; diarrhea; cough; sedative; 

A plant belonging to the rose family. Native to North America, where it grows as a tree reaching heights of up to 35 m; now widespread in Europe as a shrub reaching heights of up to 15 m. Light-colored flowers bloom in late May and June; the fruit consists of spherical, fleshy drupes—ranging in color from light red to black—arranged in clusters and containing oval seeds. The flavor is sweetish, with a bitter aftertaste.

Extracts from the fruit, twigs, and bark are used infolk medicine and traditional medicine to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and coughs, as well as to act as a sedative.