Bratoszewice, route to Kalinów

It is native to northern Europe and northern and north-east Asia, and is grown as an ornamental in North America. Ornamental plant. Edible plant - fruits raw or cooked; flowers chewed; young leaves cooked; seeds raw or cooked. Herbal plant - the bark is mildly anodyne, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative; all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid); in small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being. Useful plant - a dark red dye obtained from the fruit is used for colouring alcoholic beverages.