Prunus itosakura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prunus itosakura |
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| This 200-year-old Edo higan cherry tree is in Kitamoto City, Japan. | |
| Scientific classification |
The Edo higan cherry tree is a special type of wild cherry tree that comes from Japan. Its scientific name is Prunus itosakura. You might also hear it called Prunus subhirtella.
The name Itosakura (糸桜) means "thread cherry." This name was first used a very long time ago, during Japan's Heian period.
Scientists also use Edo higan to name many different kinds of cherry trees that were created from this wild species. These special types are often called weeping cherry, autumn cherry, or winter-flowering cherry. Each name describes something unique about them.
Since 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture has officially called this tree Prunus itosakura. This is because scientific names are given based on which name was used first.
Wild Edo Higan Cherry Trees
Wild Edo higan trees can grow very tall, sometimes over 30 meters (about 98 feet)! Their flowers are small and have five petals. They are usually white or light pink.
These trees bloom early in the spring, even before their leaves fully open. This makes them look very beautiful and full of flowers. This special feature is passed down to other famous cherry trees like the Yoshino cherry.
Edo higan trees grow slowly, but they are very strong. Their trunks are firm, and they can handle snow and wind well. They also don't rot easily. This is why they live longer than most other cherry trees. Many of them grow into huge, ancient trees.
In Japan, many old Edo higan trees are seen as sacred. They often stand near Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. They become important landmarks for their local areas. Some famous old trees include the Jindai-zakura, which is about 2,000 years old, the Usuzumi-zakura, about 1,500 years old, and the Daigo-zakura, about 1,000 years old.
Even though they live a long time, Edo higan trees take a long time to start flowering. They usually only bloom once they are about 10 meters (32.8 feet) tall. It can take many decades for a young tree to reach this size and bloom for the first time.
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The 2,000-year-old Jindai-zakura cherry tree.
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Flowers of the 1,500-year-old Usuzumi-zakura.
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The 1,500-year-old Usuzumi-zakura tree.
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The 1,000-year-old Daigo-zakura cherry tree.
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Special Cherry Varieties (Cultivars)
Scientists have studied the DNA of cherry trees. In 2014, they found that many popular cherry varieties, called "cultivars," came from the Edo higan tree. These include weeping cherries like 'Shidare-zakura' and other types like Yoshino cherry.
Long ago, around 1,000 years ago in the Heian period, people in Japan created the 'Shidare-zakura' (weeping cherry) from Edo higan. This is the oldest known cherry cultivar. Later, during the Edo period, the very popular Yoshino cherry was created. It was made by crossing Edo higan with another tree called Oshima cherry.
Weeping cherry trees, which are a type of Edo higan, also live for a very long time. This is why you can find many ancient weeping cherry trees at shrines and temples across Japan. One famous example is the Miharu Takizakura, which is 1,000 years old. Like their parent Edo higan trees, many weeping cherries bloom before their leaves appear.
When Edo higan is crossed with another cherry tree called Prunus incisa, the new tree is called P. × subhirtella. These hybrid trees are usually smaller, growing to about 5 meters (16.5 feet) tall. They are good for gardens because they start blooming when they are still young.
One popular P. × subhirtella type is 'Jugatsu-zakura'. It's known for blooming even in mild winter weather. Another one, 'Autumnalis Rosea', is very popular in gardens and has won awards.
The 'Omoigawa' cherry tree was created in Oyama City in 1954 from 'Jugatsu-zakura' seeds. It's a mix of Edo higan, P. incisa, and Oshima cherry. 'Omoigawa' only blooms in the spring. Another type, 'Ujou-shidare', has beautiful drooping branches.
The famous Yoshino cherry tree is a hybrid of Edo higan and Oshima cherry. Yoshino cherry trees also bloom before their leaves open and can grow very large, just like Edo higan. However, unlike Edo higan, Yoshino cherry trees grow very quickly.
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Prunus itosakura 'Pendula' ('Shidare-zakura'), a weeping cherry.
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Another view of Prunus itosakura 'Pendula'.
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Prunus itosakura 'Pendula-rosea' ('Beni-shidare').
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A close-up of 'Beni-shidare' flowers.
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Prunus itosakura 'Plena-rosea' ('Yae-beni-shidare').
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Another view of 'Yae-beni-shidare'.
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P. × subhirtella 'Omoigawa' cherry tree.
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Close-up of 'Omoigawa' flowers.
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P. × subhirtella 'Ujou-shidare' with its drooping branches.
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Another view of 'Ujou-shidare'.
