Pru'nus

A genus of rosaceous trees or shrubs, infusum pruni virginia nae (or virgin i an i). An infusion of the bark of P. serotina [U. S. Ph.]. P. Amygdal us. See Amygdal us communis, under amygdal us. P. domestic a. Common garden plum. The var. Julian a is the principal if not the exclusive source of the prunes of the U. S. Ph. The pulp is an ingredient of the confectio sennae. P. laurocerasus. Common laurel; a species forming the section Laurocerasus, a native of countries bordering on the Black Sea, and cultivated in Europe. All parts of the tree contain hydrocyanic acid. The fresh leaves, the laurocerasi folia of the Br. Ph., contain also an e ential oil resembling oil of bitter almonds, which is used in flavoring. P. serotina. i. The black cherry tree of North America. The bark (p. virgin i an a of the U. S. Ph.) has an astringent, aromatic, bitter taste; it amygdalin, and when macerated in water emits the odor of hydrocyanic acid. It is tonic and sedative, and is much used in the United States as a pectoral. 2. P. semper flor ens. P. virgin i an a. The chokecherry; a small tree or shrub growing in the United States, bearing a small astringent fruit. 3. Of the U. S. Ph. (Br. Ph., pruni virginia nae cortex), the bark of P. serotina (1st def.). syrup us pruni virginia nae [U. S. Ph., Br. Ph.]. A syrup made from the bark of P. serotina (1st def.). tinctura pruni virginia nae [Br. Ph.]. A tincture of the bark of P. serotina (1st def.). [Gr., proumne.]