Prunus cerasifera pissardii ‘Atropurpurea’

Planted: 1960

This is in the American Section between the South loop and the Park Drive fence.

Distribution:	Garden origin, not known in the wild but common in cultivation. Named by Élie-Abel Carrière (1818 – 1896) a French botanist. Later recognised by Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858 – 1954) an American horticulturist.
Planting Date:	Found in situ April 1997 as a 60cm flowering specimen.
Growth Habit:	Large deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 8 m to 12 m
Leaf:	Leaves are glabrous (hairless), 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long, dark red young foliage turning to a deep purple.
Flowers:	The flowers are white or pale pink and about 2 cm (3⁄4 in) across, with five petals and many stamens. Appearing in March and early April.
Fruit:	An edible drupe, 2 cm to 3 cm in diameter, ripening purple from early July to mid-September. Only occasionally produced.
Toxicity:	Unknown
Potential tree size:	2m
Uses:	Ornamental shrub or hedging plant.
Plant Hunter:	Discovered as a sport by Mons Pissard, gardener to the Shah of Persia, and sent to Paris in 1880.
Introduction Date:	Soon after 1880
Anecdotes and Comments:	Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society first class certificate in 1884.