Prunus mahaleb

St. Lucie Cherry, also known as Mahaleb Cherry, is a deciduous tree or large shrub native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. It is cultivated for its flavorful, aromatic seed kernels which are used as a baking spice in breads and pastries. The spice “mahleb” or “mahlepi” is a powder made from the ground seed kernels that has a cherry and almond-like flavor similar to marzipan. It’s also a key ingredient in Syrian tresse cheese. There’s archeological evidence that St. Lucie Cherry has been cultivated for culinary use since the Bronze Age in ancient Sumer.

Trees grows to around thirty feet high and are well-adapted to arid conditions. Drought tolerant and cold hardy, St. Lucie Cherry prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Plants are generally pest and disease free and make an attractive ornamental planting.

Cold hardy to USDA Zone 7a or to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

For sale are packets of 10 seeds