Myriad Botanical Gardens - Oklahoma City, USA

Common name: Purpleleaf Sand Cherry

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Distribution: North America

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Life form: Tree

Comments: Purpleleaf sand cherry is a shrub or small tree growing to 10 feet. It is quite popular for its dark purple foliage that provides a nice contrast in the landscape and really sets off its light pink spring flowers. Though its dark purple fruit is sparse and hardly noticeable, it is edible and provides an important source of food for the local wildlife. Sand cherry fruits are commonly used in pies and jam.