Korean cherry, Chinese cherry, Japanese plum, Oriental bush cherry, Niwa ume
Prunus japonica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 1.5 m tall and spreads 0.9-1.8 m wide. The branches are thin. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and white or pink. They occur in clusters. The fruit are small and cherry like and red.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It will grow in a range of soils. It needs a sunny position. In northern China it grows between 100-200 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), Japan, Korea, Manchuria

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or used in pies.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown by division, seed, stem cuttings or layering.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cerasus japonica (Thunberg) Loiseleur;