Kalonka, near Łódź

It is native to Europe and Asia and has been cultivated in the U.S. since colonial times. Ornamental plant. Bees feeding plant. Edible plant - fruits raw or cooked in pies, tarts, jams, etc. Herbal plant - the fruit stalks are astringent, diuretic and tonic; a decoction is used in the treatment of cystitis, oedema, bronchial complaints, looseness of the bowels and anaemia; an aromatic resin can be obtained by making small incisions in the trunk, this has been used as an inhalant in the treatment of persistent coughs; all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid).