Cherry blossom

"Sakura" redirects here. For other uses, see Sakura (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Cherry Blossom (disambiguation).

Cherry tree in bloom in Yachounomori Garden, Tatebayashi, Gunma, Japan, April 2009

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of trees in Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Sakura usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of Prunus serrulata, not trees grown for their fruit[1]: 14–18 [2] (although these also have blossoms). Cherry blossoms have been described as having a vanilla-like smell, which is mainly attributed to coumarin.

Wild species of cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere.[3][4][5] They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan, where they have been cultivated, producing many varieties.[6]: 40–42, 160–161 

Most of the ornamental cherry trees planted in parks and other places for viewing are cultivars developed for ornamental purposes from various wild species. In order to create a cultivar suitable for viewing, a wild species with characteristics suitable for viewing is needed. Prunus speciosa (Oshima cherry), which is endemic to Japan, produces many large flowers, is fragrant, easily mutates into double flowers and grows rapidly. As a result, various cultivars, known as the Cerasus Sato-zakura Group, have been produced since the 14th century and continue to contribute greatly to the development of hanami (flower viewing) culture.[1]: 27, 89–91 [6]: 160–161  From the modern period, cultivars are mainly propagated by grafting, which quickly produces cherry trees with the same genetic characteristics as the original individuals, and which are excellent to look at.[6]: 89–91 

The Japanese word sakura (桜 or 櫻; さくら or サクラ) can mean either the tree or its flowers (see 桜).[7] The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan, and is central to the custom of hanami.[8]

Sakura trees are often called Japanese cherry in English.[9] (This is also a common name for Prunus serrulata.[10]) The cultivation of ornamental cherry trees began to spread in Europe and the United States in the early 20th century, particularly after Japan presented trees to the United States as a token of friendship in 1912.[1]: 119–123  British plant collector Collingwood Ingram conducted important studies of Japanese cherry trees after the First World War.[11]

  1. ^ a b c Katsuki, Toshio (2015). Sakura (in Japanese). Iwanami Shoten. ISBN 978-4004315346.
  2. ^ The history and cultural symbolism of both the seven wild species and the hundreds of forms known for centuries as sato-zakura, or garden cherries and information about growing and propagating is found in Kuitert, Wybe (6 March 2015). "Japanese Flowering Cherries". Timber Press.
  3. ^ FAQ・桜の豆知識 [FAQ・Cherry Blossom Trivia]. The Flower Association of Japan (in Japanese). 日本以外にも桜は自生してるの？ [Are cherry trees native to countries other than Japan?]. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  4. ^ さくらの基礎知識 [Basic knowledge of cherry blossoms]. JAPAN Cherry Blossom Association (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  5. ^ Qingwei, Yao (February 1982). "Studies on the History of the Flowering Cherry". en.cnki.com.cn. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference katsuki2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "sakura". Cambridge Dictionary: English Dictionary. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  8. ^ Honoca (4 February 2015). "The beauty and history of sakura, Japan's national flower". Tsunagu Japan. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Japanese cherry (n.)". Oxford English Dictionary. September 2023. doi:10.1093/OED/5455638245.
  10. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  11. ^ Bandini, Rosemary. "The Forgotten British Collector: Captain Collingwood Ingram (1880-1981)". www.rosemarybandini.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.