Black berries of the bird cherry

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Mon, 21.08.2017 - 11:36
Autorid

Photo Arne Ader

Translation Liis

 

Estonian text published 04.08.2017

Toomingas

Bird cherry

Body

 

Bird cherry          Harilik toomingas          Padus avium

 

From the white, strongly scented inflorescences black berries have ripened, some leaves have become reddish-coloured – time seems to fly …

The black drupes of the cherry look like small plums and the fruit flesh is edible: a little sour, with a quite high content of Vitamin C and a stopping effect on the bowels. Some even like such fruits with a high content of tannic acids that make the mouth seem furry.

The seeds of the berries contain amygdalin, the substance harmful to humans, but even if you happen to swallow a seed nothing terrible will happen because the seed will not decompose in our digestive tract.

But if someone would be interested in preparing a refreshing drink or a sweet course from bird cherry fruits they should always avoid crushing the seeds.

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