Identification:
Leaves—dark green shiny, simple, alternate, ovate to lanceolate to oblong-ovate, cuneate with doubly serrated margins and acuminate apex
Twigs—slender, glossy, gray-brown, conspicuous lenticels
Flowers—single or double light pink flowers formed in pendulous clusters appearing before leaves in early spring
Fruit—red, glossy ovoid fruits, usually sparsely produced and mature to black color
Bark—single trunk, copper with lenticels, gray plate exfoliating as it ages
Hover over one of the descriptions to see an example.
Natural History:
Lifespan—20 years
General description—A small tree with slender weeping branches
Natural distribution and habitat—Native to Japan and thrives throughout the archipelago. It was one of the first varieties of Japanese cherry blossom trees introduced to the US and Europe in the mid to late 19th century.
Conservation status—N/A
Uses—The wood is used in kabazaiku—the craft of making tea boxes and other woodworks. Both flowers and leaves are edible and have many culinary uses such as tea and rice cakes. They’re also used to make lotions and candies.