Prunus sargentii

Prunus sargentii
Sargent's Cherry (Prunus sargentii)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Cerasus
Species: P. sargentii
Binomial name
Prunus sargentii
Rehder

Prunus sargentii, commonly known as Sargent's cherry, North Japanese hill cherry[1], Ezo mountain cherry (蝦夷山桜 Ezo-yama-zakura?) or Big mountain cherry (大山桜 Ō-yama-zakura?) in Japan, is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin (Russia).[2]

The tree was named for Charles Sprague Sargent.[3]

Contents

Description

Prunus sargentii is a deciduous tree that grows 20–40 feet in height. Its crown spreads to a width of 20–40 feet. New growth is a reddish or bronze in color, which changes to shiny dark green.[4] The leaves are obovate and have serrated margins. Leaves are 3–5 inches in length and are arranged alternately. In fall the leaves turn red, orange, or yellow.[5] It grows single pink flowers on 1 inch pedicels, which result in purple-black fruit in summer.[4] The fruit is a favorite of birds, but because of their size (small, pea sized) and color are considered inconspicuous to humans.[6]

Cultivation

Prunus sargentii is a fast-growing tree ornamental[7] cherry requiring sun and well-drained soil. The tree can tolerate wind, but not air pollution. The tree one of the hardiest cherries and can be easily transplanted. This makes the tree suitable for use as a street tree.[4] The tree is moderately drought-tolerant.[5]

History

Native to Japan, the tree was introduced to America and then the United Kingdom in 1908.[8]

References

  1. ^ Bailey, L.H.; Bailey, E.Z.; the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Macmillan, New York.
  2. ^ Common Trees of Hokkaido, pg 104
  3. ^ Royal Horticultural Society, What's On, Harlow Carr, October 2007, last access 31 May 2008.
  4. ^ a b c Evans, Erv (2000-2003). "Prunus sargentii" (in English). Plant Fact Sheets. North Carolina State University. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/prunus_sargentii.html. Retrieved 2008-07-04. 
  5. ^ a b Brand, Mark (1997-2001). "Prunus sargentii" (in English). UConn Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. University of Connecticut. http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/prusar/prusar1.html. Retrieved 2008-07-04. 
  6. ^ Gilman, Edward F.; Dennis G. Watson (undated). "Prunus sargentii: Sargent Cherry". Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ST/ST51400.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
  7. ^ "Prunus sargentii Rehder" (in English). USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?30092. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 
  8. ^ "Prunus sargentii - Sargent's Cherry" (in English). Keele University. October 19, 2007. http://www.keele.ac.uk/university/arboretum/trees/cherries/prunus%20sargentii.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-04. 

See also