Central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, western Asia.
Shrub to small tree (to 13m) of open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian areas. Mature bark is brown to gray with deep fissures. Leaves are egg-shaped, pointed, with serrated edges, longer than wide, growing in clusters at the end of twigs and branches. Fragrant flowers have five white petals. Fruit is a one seeded drupe, black at maturity,
Widely utilized as a rootstock for for domestic cherries. Introduced into North and South America for this purpose as well as ornamental plantings.