Prunus jamasakura

What to Eat

Edible parts: Flowers, Fruit, Seeds

The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains one large seed. The flowers are pickled in salt and used in tea or with rice gruel. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked, but should not be consumed if it tastes too bitter — see toxicity notes.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is native to China, Japan and Korea. It grows in woods in low hills and mountains. Temperate.

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Slovenia,

How to Identify

A deciduous tree. It grows 20 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is purple-brown with lenticels across it. The leaves are oblong and 12 cm long by 5 cm wide. The abruptly taper to a point. There are sharp teeth along the edge. The young leaves are bronze or red and become deep green above and blue-green underneath. They are smooth on both sides. The leaves turn yellow to red in autumn. The flowers are 3 cm across and pale pink to almost white. There are 5 petals which have notches at the tip. The flowers are in small clusters. The fruit is fleshy and deep purple-black. It is 2.5 cm long. Probably now Cerasus jamasakura var. jamasakura

How to Grow

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. This plant is the national tree of Japan. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation: Seed requires 2–3 months of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. Protect seed from mice. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking 18 months. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on in a greenhouse or cold frame through their first winter, and plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants can be taken in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering can be done in spring.

Medicinal Uses

No specific research has been recorded for this species, but all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Other Uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit.

Prunus jamasakura, the Japanese mountain cherry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae that is said to be endemic to Japan. However, it is also said to be native to Korea, and to China.

Notes

There are about 200 Prunus species.

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