Prunus buergeriana,[1] in Japanese イヌザクラ (inu-zakura), meaning dog cherry, is a species of bird cherry native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, northeast India (Sikkim), and Bhutan. In China it prefers to grow on mountain slopes at 1000 to 3400 m above sea level.[2] Its closest relative is Prunus perulata, from which it is morphologically and genetically distinct.[3]

Prunus buergeriana
Flowers and foliage
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus subg. Padus
Species:
P. buergeriana
Binomial name
Prunus buergeriana
Synonyms
  • Padus buergeriana (Miq.) T.T.Yü and T. C. Ku
  • Laurocerasus buergeriana (Miq.) C. K. Schneid.
  • Prunus adenodonta Merr.
  • Prunus fauriei H.Lév.
  • Prunus venosa Koehne

Description

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The bark is brown with pale eyes

Prunus buergeriana individuals usually reach a height of 6–12 metres (20–39 ft). The small flowers are borne on a raceme.[2] The fruit ripen from green through red to black.

Cultural significance

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Considered an unlovely tree in Japan,[4] the dog cherry is used as a simile in Japanese haiku for unflattering comparisons with dogs; in these the paltry raceme resembles the tail of a whipped cur, or the spotted bark the markings of a starving mongrel.[4]

 
The Mine-tatae (峰湛), a large specimen growing in the Suwa Grand Shrine and the subject of veneration

References

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  1. ^ "Prunus buergeriana Miq". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Padus buergeriana (Miquel) T. T. Yü & T. C. Ku, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 38: 91. 1986". Flora of China. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  3. ^ Liu, Xiao-Lin; Wen, Jun; Nie, Ze-Long; Johnson, Gabriel; Liang, Zong-Suo & Chang, Zhao-Yang (14 December 2012). "Polyphyly of the Padus group of Prunus (Rosaceae) and the evolution of biogeographic disjunctions between eastern Asia and eastern North America". Journal of Plant Research. 126 (3): 351–361. doi:10.1007/s10265-012-0535-1. PMID 23239308. S2CID 5991106.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Gill, Robin D (31 October 2006). Cherry Blossom Epiphany — The Poetry And Philosophy of a Flowering Tree — A selection, translation and lengthy explication of 3000 haiku, waka, senryû and kyôka about a major theme from I.P.O.O.H. (In Praise Of Olde Haiku). Paraverse Press. pp. 33–38. ISBN 9780974261867.
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