Manchurian cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manchurian cherry |
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Prunus
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maackii
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The Prunus maackii, also known as the Manchurian cherry or Amur chokecherry, is a special type of cherry tree. It grows naturally in Korea and along the Amur River. You can find it in Manchuria in northeastern China, and in Amur Oblast and Primorye in southeastern Russia.
Scientists used to think it belonged to a different group of cherry trees. However, new studies looking at its shape and its DNA show it is part of the Prunus subg. Cerasus group. This is the same group that most common cherry trees belong to.
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About the Manchurian Cherry Tree
The Manchurian cherry is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves every autumn. It usually grows to be about 4 to 10 meters (13 to 33 feet) tall.
Its Unique Bark
One of the most interesting things about this tree is its bark. When the tree is young, its bark is very smooth and shiny. It has a beautiful bronze-yellow color. As the tree gets older, the bark changes. It becomes duller, dark grey-brown, and develops cracks or fissures.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
The leaves of the Manchurian cherry grow in an alternating pattern along the branches. They are oval-shaped and measure about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.6 to 3.1 inches) long. The leaves are dark green on top and a bit lighter underneath.
In the middle of spring, the tree produces many flowers. These white flowers grow on upright spikes that are 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 2.8 inches) long. Each flower is small, about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) across, and has five white petals.
After the flowers, small, cherry-like fruits grow. These fruits are called drupes. They are about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. At first, they are green, then they turn red, and finally become dark purple or black when they are ripe. The fruit is ready to eat from early summer to early autumn.
How it Got its Name
The Manchurian cherry tree was named after a person called Richard Karlovich Maack. He was a Russian naturalist and explorer who lived from 1825 to 1886. He was the first to discover this tree. The tree was officially described by a scientist named Ruprecht in 1857.
Growing and Using the Tree
The Manchurian cherry is a popular ornamental tree. This means people often plant it in gardens and parks because it looks beautiful. It is especially liked in northern Europe and North America because of its attractive bark.
Growing Conditions
This tree likes sunny places and soil that is moist but drains well. It can handle very cold winters, but it does not do well in hot weather. Some cultivated trees have grown very tall, reaching up to 17 meters (56 feet) high. Their trunks can be as wide as 90 centimeters (35 inches).
Uses of the Fruit
The small fruits of the Manchurian cherry can be used to make different tasty things. People have used them to make juice, jelly, and jam.
See also
In Spanish: Cerezo de Manchuria para niños
