Kanzan Cherry
Prunus serrulata
Family: Rosaceae
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Mature Height: ~10 m (~30 ft)
Fall Color: Yellow to red
Native Range: Kanzan cherries are native to Japan, China, and Korea, but are planted around the world due to their showy flowers and ornamental appeal, especially in bloom.
Features
Kanzan cherries are members of the rose family which also includes plums, apricots, and other cherries. Kanzan cherry characteristics can vary, especially with regard to the flowers. The leaves of Kanzan cherries are ovular with a pointed end and are coarsely toothed along the edges. They are usually around four inches long. The fruit of this tree is a small red or purple or black drupe, a fleshy fruit with thin skin and a central stone containing the seed. The fruit is bitter and does not have much edible flesh around the seed. These trees are bred for their flowers so there may not be fruit on some of them at all. The flowers of Kanzan cherries make them instantly recognizable. Depending on the variety, the flowers can be white to pink to creamy yellow. They are arranged along twigs in groups of two to five. Some varieties may have double flowers with extra petals. The flowers usually bloom in early spring, before or alongside leaves. Typically, Kanzan cherries have smooth brown bark with horizontal lenticels, or stripes. We recommend not sampling the fruits & nuts of the trees and plants here at Adventure Science Center.
Fun Facts
● This tree is named after a mountain in Japan, the Kanzan (Kwanzan) cherry tree is native to China, Japan and Korea. The original name is 'Sekiyama,' but it is rarely used. Introduced to America in 1903, it was made famous by the glorious floral displays at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C
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