Choke-cherry

Choke-cherry, a name given to certain nearly allied species of Cherry (q.v.), natives of North America, having small fruit in racemes, like the Bird-cherry or Cherry-lauel (q.v.), from which latter, however, they are easily distinguished by their deciduous leaves. The fruit is at first rather agreeable, but afterwards astringent in the mouth. The species and varieties are not easily definable, but Prunus (Cerasus) virginiana, serotina, and borealis may be especially mentioned. The bark is used as a febrifuge and tonic, under the name of Wild Cherry Bark; and by distilling it with water, a volatile oil is obtained from it, associated with hydrocyanic acid, called Oil of Wild Cherry.