Bittercherry (Prunus emarginata)

Bittercherries are less palatable than chokecherry, but important for birds. The seeds contain a cyanide compound that can cause poisoning if too many seeds are eaten with the fruit. Cyanide poisoning initially causes rapid breathing followed by slow and difficult breathing, anxiety, confusion, headache, low blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Extreme poisoning can cause convulsions, coma and death, but this is very rare. This species is common in much of western North America. Photo from Orofino, Idaho.