The tart 'pie cherry' of the rose family, native to Europe and southwest Asia and grown for cooking, preserving, and baking rather than fresh eating. A small, rounded, spreading deciduous tree — typically 13-20 feet tall and wide — that bears clusters of white spring flowers followed by bright red, acidic drupes in early to midsummer. Unlike the sweet cherry (Prunus avium), most sour cherries are self-fertile, so a single tree will set a crop. The shorter stature, greater cold-hardiness, and self-fertility make it the easier cherry for a home garden.