This tests multiple “auto” glossaries. What about Apples, Pears, and Cherries. Cherry The most common cherry species in cultivation is sweet cherry (P. avium) to which most cherry cultivars belong. The sour cherry (P. cerasus) is also cultivated, mainly for cooking. Both species originate in Europe and western Asia; they usually do not cross-pollinate. In East Asia, Chinese cherry (P. pseudocerasus) and downy cherry (P. tomentosa) have been cultivated for thousands of years for their sweet fruits.