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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

Tree Tag: 205 An icon used to show more information.
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 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 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. Carbon dioxide and oxygen can enter and exit the stem from these lenticels, 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.

Vector illustration of a flowering cherry leaf.
An image of the branches of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the bark of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches and leaves of the flowering cherry in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the branches of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the leaves flowering cherry tree in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry leaves in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree flowers in spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry tree in spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry blossoms in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry blossoms in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry blossoms in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry blossoms in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the flowering cherry in spring in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Student Researcher

A photo of Caitlyn Angley, student in the Plan Diversity course working with the Rowan University Arboretum Project.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

    • What are the 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

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