Cherry Blossom is native to the Himalayas and is found in East Asia such as China, Korea and Japan. It is an ornamental tree and includes Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms.

 

Many of Cherry Blossom blooms for just a couple of days in spring. Cherry fruit (known as sakuranbo) come from a different species of tree. It can also be used as a name. The Japanese cherry tree does not yield fruit like other cherry trees.

 

Japan's most beloved variety of cherry blossom is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. The flowers bloom, and usually fall within a week, before the leaves come out. Therefore, the trees look nearly white from top to bottom. This variety of cherry blossom takes its name from the village of Somei.

 

The people love to see not only the single petal cherry blossoms in their prime and freshness, they also relish the beauty of falling snowy petals in the spring breeze. Of all flowers, the cherry blossoms appeal most to the aesthetic taste of the Japanese people. The Japanese people would never have been essentially so jubilant, cheerful, optimistic and youthful were it not for the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

 

Did you know?

·        The cherry blossom (Sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. Most Japanese schools and public buildings have Sakura trees outside of them.

·        In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty and sexuality.

·        Sakura is also a common Japanese female name.