Species

Prunus serrulata

Etymology

serrulata: rough edged

Common Name(s)

Japanese hill cherry

Family

Rosaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

NVS Species Code

PRUSER

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Habitat

Terrestrial.

Features

Deciduous tree up to about 12 m tall. Leaves thin, broadly ovate 80-130 by 45-60 mm, petiole 20-32 mm, lamina rounded at the base tapering to a point at the tip, glabrous above and below, with serrate margins. Inflorescence a cluster of 3-4 white to pink flowers on short lateral shoots. Fruit less than 15 mm diameter, globose, dark red-black, stone smooth.

Similar Taxa

In the sub genus Carasus (cherries). The acuminate (tapering to a fine point, sides slightly concave) marginal teeth on the leaves and the spreading flowers distinguish this species.

Flowering

August, September, October

Flower Colours

Red / Pink,White

Year Naturalised

1982

Origin

China, Japan

Reason For Introduction
Ornamental

Life Cycle Comments
Perennial.

Reproduction
seed

Dispersal
Probably birds

This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010