Prunus rufa is a small
deciduous tree reaching a height of . Its
calyx tubes are long and its leaf blades are 2.8–5cm long. The smooth
bark is a shiny brown, with prominent horizontal
lenticels, similar to the coppery-red bark of the Tibetan cherry,
Prunus serrula and similar to but lighter than the mahogany-brown bark of
P. himalaica. Its phenotype suggests close affinity with four other Himalayan species of
Prunus;
P. topkegolensis,
P. harae,
P. taplejungnica and
P. singalilaensis. Some sources consider
P. ferruginea to be a synonym. ==References==