Prunus buergeriana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prunus buergeriana |
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Prunus
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buergeriana
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Prunus buergeriana, also known as the dog cherry, is a type of bird cherry tree. Its Japanese name, イヌザクラ (inu-zakura), means "dog cherry." This tree grows naturally in many parts of Asia. You can find it in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, northeast India (in a place called Sikkim), and Bhutan. In China, it prefers to grow on mountain slopes. It can be found at high elevations, from about 1,000 to 3,400 meters above sea level. Its closest relative is a tree called Prunus perulata. However, Prunus buergeriana is different in how it looks and its genetics.
What Does the Dog Cherry Tree Look Like?
Prunus buergeriana trees usually grow to be about 6 to 12 meters tall. That's like a two- or three-story building! The bark of the tree is brown. It often has pale spots that look a bit like eyes. The tree produces many small flowers. These flowers grow together on a special kind of cluster called a raceme. A raceme is like a stalk with flowers attached along its sides. After the flowers, the tree grows fruits. These fruits change color as they ripen. They start green, then turn red, and finally become black when they are fully ripe.
Cultural Importance of the Dog Cherry
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In Japan, the dog cherry tree is sometimes seen as less beautiful than other cherry trees. It is occasionally used in Japanese haiku poems. These poems might compare its appearance to a dog. For example, the way its flowers hang can be compared to a dog's tail. Or, its spotted bark might be compared to a dog's markings.
Despite these comparisons, some dog cherry trees are very special. There is a very large and old tree called the Mine-tatae (峰湛). It grows at the Suwa Grand Shrine in Japan. This particular tree is highly respected and cared for.
