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 or North Japanese hill cherry,[1] is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin (Russia).[2]
The tree was named for Charles Sprague Sargent.[3]
Description
Prunus sargentii is a deciduous tree that grows 20–40 feet or 6-12 meter 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 (7.6–12.7 cm) in length and are arranged alternately. In fall, the leaves turn red, orange, or yellow.[5] It grows single pink flowers on 1-in 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
P. sargentii is a fast-growing ornamental tree [7] requiring sun and well-drained soil. The tree can tolerate wind, but not air pollution; it is 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.
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Common Trees of Hokkaido, pg 104
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society, What's On, Harlow Carr, October 2007, last access 31 May 2008.
- 1 2 3 Evans, Erv (2000–2003). "Prunus sargentii". Plant Fact Sheets. North Carolina State University. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
- 1 2 Brand, Mark (1997–2001). "Prunus sargentii". UConn Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. University of Connecticut. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
- ↑ Gilman, Edward F.; Dennis G. Watson (n.d.). "Prunus sargentii: Sargent Cherry" (PDF). Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
- ↑ "Prunus sargentii Rehder". USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- Common Trees of Hokkaido, Hokkaido University Press, Sapporo, 1992, ISBN 4-8329-1032-9 C0045 P2472E
See also
- For cherry blossoms and their cultural significance to the Japanese, see sakura.