AliasOhshimazakura, Sakura, サクラ, 桜, オオシマザクラ, 餅桜, おおしまざくら, P. lannesiana var. speciosa
Place of originChina,Japan
Place of floweringGarden, Botanical Gardens
Flowering seasonJanuary, February, March, April
Language of flowersOutstanding beauty
What is Oshima-zakura
Birth flowers for Apr 5
Oshima-zakura (scientific name: Cerasus speciosa) in Japanese (Scientific name: Cerasus speciosa) is a species of deciduous broad-leaved "cherry" tree in the family Rosaceae. It is an island form of the Kasumizakura (Kasumi cherry) and is an early-blooming cherry tree native to the Izu Islands, including Oshima. It is a tall tree, reaching a height of 15 meters. The leaves are elliptic to inverted-ovate and acute, with a leaf blade 5 to 10 cm in length and narrow serrations on the leaf margins. In spring, at the same time as the green leaves emerge, it produces five-petaled flowers with a diameter of 3 to 4 cm and white to light pink petals. The flowering period is long, from January to April. Fruits ripen after flowering and turn red. The leaves are used to wrap sakura mochi (rice cakes), the trees are used as roadside trees and garden trees, and the wood is used for lumber and firewood. The Oshima cherry stock (Oshima-cho, Tokyo) has been designated a natural monument.
Parent of Somei-Yoshino and Kawazu-zakura
Someiyoshino (scientific name: Cerasus ×yedoensis cv. yedoensis), a representative cherry tree, is a horticultural species bred from the Oshima cherry tree and the Edohigan cherry tree. Kawazu-zakura (Prunus lannesiana cv. Kawazu-zakura) is a natural hybrid of Oshima-zakura (Cerasus speciosa) and Kanhizakura (Cerasus speciosa).
Common name: Oshima-zakura, scientific name: Cerasus speciosa, synonym: Prunus donarium subsp. speciosa, origin: Japan, height: 15 m, life form: Cherry tree Deciduous tree; leaf shape: elliptic/ovate and acuminate; leaf blade: 5-10 cm; serrations: finely serrated; flower color: pure white or light red; flower diameter: 3-4 cm; flowering season: January-April; remarks: leaves are used for wrapping sakura mochi.
