Cherry Blossoms Welcoming Spring
Prunus serrulata, or cherry blossom, has long been celebrated for its springtime beauty and its symbolism of life and death.
BRIT Collections
Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Plant specimen (2017-04-18) by MsoutheeBRIT Collections
Prunus serrulata is also known as the Cherry Blossom Tree, Japanese Flowering Cherry, and Oriental Cherry. The flowering cherries are also known as sakura.
"Japanese Flowering Cherry" is a general term for a wide range of taxa such as Prunus serrulata, Prunus subhirtella (Higan cherry), Prunus × yedoensis (Yoshino cherry), and Prunus subhirtella.
Plant specimen (2018-04-29) by Bronx Zoo EduBRIT Collections
A symbol of life and death
It is also considered to be a gift of friendship, which was exemplified by Japan consul gifting approximately 2,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States in 1910 to solidify the friendship between the two countries.
Although the first shipment was infested with pests and needed to be burned to protect American horticulture, in March 1912, approximately 3,000 healthy, pest-free trees were donated to the United States.
Prunus serrulata (common name Japanese Flowering Cherry) specimen from China (2004-02-21) by 萧百中 Xiao Bai-ZhongBRIT Collections
Herbarium specimen: Prunus serrulata, China, 2004
Prunus serrulata is a small, deciduous tree that can grow 15-25 ft. in height and spread around 4-8 meters. These beautiful trees are relatively short-lived, typically living between 15-20 years of age, though some may live up to 60 years of age.
Plant specimen (1983-10-17) by D.O. HallseyBRIT Collections
During or after flowering, serrated, shiny, reddish brown leaves appear, which turn dark green in the summer and shades of bronze, yellow, and red in the fall.
Plant specimen (1991-04-15) by Meyer, F.G.BRIT Collections
Herbarium specimen: Prunus serrulata, Washington DC 1991
The flowers may be pink, white, or varying shades of each. Flowers may also be single, semi-double, or double, depending on the cultivar.
Plant specimen (2012-04-01) by MyrabellaBRIT Collections
Prunus serrulata can be found in regions such as Washington D.C. in the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Türkiye, and beyond.
Plant specimen (2018-04-03) by Luka PeternelBRIT Collections
Cherry blossoms are widely celebrated in a multitude of ways: festivals, artwork, media, literature/poetry, as well as culinary and craftsmanship uses.
Festivals are held throughout the world to show respect to the blossoms whilst having a joyous day of food, music, and friendship. The National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington D.C. celebrates the historical gift of friendship between Japan and the United States.
Plant specimen (2011-04-02) by Eric T. GuntherBRIT Collections
In Japan, the act of viewing and enjoying the blossoms is called Hanami ( 花見 ). The tradition can be traced back thousands of years, and people eat, drink, barbecue, and gather with friends underneath the sakura.
Prunus serrulata is also frequently incorporated into the culinary world, though the cherries themselves are inedible. Blossoms are utilized for cakes, teas, cocktails, mochi, and more. The wood of the cherry blossom tree can also be incorporated into wood craftsmanship.
A beautiful view of the cherry blossom festivities in Japan can be seen throughout the time-lapse video.
Sorimachi 409, Osaka, 1746
Cherry blossoms are the topic of many forms of writing such as poetry, exemplified by the quote from the Buddhist monk Ryokan Taigu below.
"How can we ever lose interest in life? Spring has come again, and cherry trees bloom in the mountains.”
- Japanese poet Ryokan Taigu
Fuji over Cherry Blossom by Hokusai
Artwork has long been captivating audiences with the beauty and symbolism of cherry blossom trees.
Aiello, A.S., (Nov. 15th, 2012). Japanese flowering cherries: A 100-year-long love affair. Arnoldia – Volume 69, Issue 4. https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/japanese-flowering-cherries-a-100-year-long-love-affair/
Daro, (April 17th, 2020). From Japan to America: Exploring cherry blossom traditions. Daro Management Services. https://www.daroapartments.com/dc-guide/cherry-blossom-traditions/
Gardenia, (n.d.)., Prunus serrulata (Japanese flowering cherry). Gardenia: Creating Gardens. https://www.gardenia.net/plant-variety/prunus-serrulata-japanese-flowering-cherry
Takeda, E., (April 9th, 2014). Significance of sakura: Cherry blossom traditions in Japan. Smithsonian. https://festival.si.edu/blog/2014/significance-of-sakura-cherry-blossom-traditions-in-japan/
Tin Nyo, E., (April 21st, 2018). The art of eating cherry blossoms (with recipes). Hyperallergic. https://hyperallergic.com/439105/the-art-of-eating-cherry-blossoms-with-recipes/
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