Prunus sargentii

Taxobox


image_caption = Sargent's Cherry ("Prunus sargentii")
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Rosales
familia = Rosaceae
subfamilia = Prunoideae
genus = "Prunus"
subgenus = "Cerasus"
species = "P. sargentii"
binomial = "Prunus sargentii"
binomial_authority = Rehder

"Prunus sargentii", commonly known as Sargent's cherry and nihongo|Ezo mountain cherry|蝦夷山桜|Ezo-yama-zakura or nihongo|big mountain cherry|大山桜|Ō-yama-zakura in Japan, is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin (Russia). [Common Trees of Hokkaido, pg 104]

The tree was named for Charles Sprague Sargent. [ [http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Gardens/harlowcarr/archive/harlowcarrpom07oct.htm Royal Horticultural Society] , "What's On", Harlow Carr, October 2007, last access 31 May 2008.]

Description

Prunus sargentii is a deciduous tree that grows 20–40 feet 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. The leaves are obovate and have serrated margins. Leaves are 3–5 inches in length and are arranged alternately. In fall the leaves turn red, orange, or yellow. It grows single pink flowers on 1 inch pedicels, which result in purple-black fruit in summer. The fruit is a favorite of birds, but because of their size (small, pea sized) and color are considered inconspicuous to humans.cite web|url=http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/PRUSARA.pdf|title=Fact Sheet ST-514, Prunus sargentii, Sargent Cherry|last=Gilman|first=Edward F.|coauthors=Dennis G. Watson|date=October 1994|publisher=Forestry Service, Department of Agriculture|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-07]

Cultivation

Prunus sargentii is a fast-growing tree ornamental [cite web|url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?30092|title=Prunus sargentii Rehder|work=USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)|publisher=National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-07] cherry requiring sun and well-drained soil. The tree can tolerate wind, but not air pollution. The tree one of the hardiest cherries and can be easily transplanted. This makes the tree suitable for use as a street tree.cite web|url=http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/prunus_sargentii.html|title=Prunus sargentii|last=Evans|first=Erv|date=2000-2003|work=Plant Fact Sheets|publisher=North Carolina State University|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04] The tree is moderately drought tolerant.cite web|url=http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/prusar/prusar1.html|title=Prunus sargentii|last=Brand|first=Mark|date=1997-2001|work=UConn Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines|publisher=University of Connecticut|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04]

History

Native to Japan, the tree was introduced to America and then the United Kingdom in 1908.cite web|url=http://www.keele.ac.uk/university/arboretum/trees/cherries/prunus%20sargentii.htm|title=Prunus sargentii - Sargent's Cherry|date=October 19, 2007|publisher=Keele University|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04]

References

* Common Trees of Hokkaido, Hokkaido University Press, Sapporo, 1992, ISBN4-8329-1032-9 C0045 P2472E

ee also

*For cherry blossoms and their cultural significance to the Japanese, see sakura.