Flowering Cherry
Researched by Caitlyn Angley
Species: Prunus serrulata
Common name: Cherry Flowering, Japanese Cherry, Oriental Cherry, Hill Cherry
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Clade: Angiosperms (flowering seed plants)
Coordinates: 39.707728, -75.12017886
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.
Prunus serrulata, or flowering cherry, is a member of the Rosaceae family, a group of flowering plants. The family includes many fruiting varieties like apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, almonds, and of course, roses. During the spring, the tree produces beautiful red and pink flowers, which people often think of when they imagine a cherry tree. But the flowering cherry is an ornamental. Though it produces beautiful blossoms, this particular species does not produce cherries that people eat. Instead, it produces inedible pea-sized black fruits.
Native to Japan, the flowering cherry is prized for its beauty and cultural significance as a symbol of the ancient Samurai. The trees lose their petals during peak bloom, which, to the Samurai, signified dying in battle.
The leaves are simple with a serrated edge. During the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow before dropping.
The stem of this species may appear papery, with what appear to be horizontal slits in the trunk. These “slits,” which are called lenticels, are pores that help with gas exchange in the environment. From these lenticels, carbon dioxide and oxygen can enter and exit the stem, which is essential for photosynthesis and respiration and keeping the tree alive.
*This resource is a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department.
Campus Species Map
Student Researcher
Caitlyn Angley
Caitlyn Angley earned her degree in Biological Sciences in 2021.
Suggested Citation:
Angley, Caitlyn (2021, Dec). Flowering Cherry. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/flowering-cherry/
Questions to Explore
- Are there any medical benefits of Prunus serrulata?
- How did the flowering cherry trees get here from Japan?
- What is the history and cultural importance of these trees in Japan?
References
Missouri Botanical Garden. (2021). Prunus serrulata. Prunus serrulata-plant finder. | Link
N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2021). Prunus serrulata. Prunus serrulata (Japanese Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. | Link
Gardenia.net. (2021). Prunus serrulata (Japanese flowering cherry). Gardenia. | Link
Orange County Community College. (2021). Japanese Flowering Cherry. Prunus serrulata, International Tree Tour, SUNY Orange. | Link
Wageningen University & Research. (2021). Prunus serrulata ‘Hokusai’. | Link
Rowan University Resources
*You may need to log into the Rowan University Library site*
Human influence increases the likelihood of extremely early cherry tree flowering in Kyoto. | Link
Cultural ecosystem services provided by flowering of cherry trees under climate change. | Link
Antioxidative and Anticancer Activity of Extracts of Cherry Blossoms. | Link
Phenological data series of cherry tree flowering in Kyoto, Japan, and its application to reconstruction of springtime temperatures since the 9th century. | Link