Sargent Cherry, Mountain cherry
Prunus sargentii

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

It is a deciduous tree. It grows 20 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is glossy red-brown with pale lenticels. The leaves are narrowly oval and 12 cm long by 6 cm wide. They taper abruptly to a point. They have sharp teeth. Leaves are reddish when young and become glossy green above and are smooth on both sides. They turn brilliant orange and red in autumn. The flowers are 4 cm across and pink with 5 petals which have notches at the tip. The flowers are in clusters. The fruit is rounded or egg shaped and glossy purple-black. They are about 1 cm long.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Japan. It grows in woods in mountains. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, North America, Russia, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are infused in alcohol.

Fruit are not very palatable.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Beojji, Japonska češnja

Synonyms

Cerasus sargentii (Rehder) H. Ohba;