Magnificent cherry blossom, fruit, photo

Sakura - very colorful, especially in the flowering period, a Japanese tree. It represents a decorative cherry from the family Pink. Its inflorescences are also called sakura. It can be found everywhere in Japan in mountainous areas, off the banks of rivers, in city parks, alleys and in the territories of temples. There are only 16 species and about 400 varieties of sakura.

Sakura is the collective name of the forms, which are isolated on the basis of some East Asian species, mainly with double pink flowers. This colorful plant in nature is found in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Its flowers are from bright pink to white. The fruits of Japanese cherry blossom ripen after abundant flowering in some species. They are like a normal cherry.

Types of sakura, description, distribution

Most species are used only as ornamental plants and do not bear fruit. However, there is sakura, the fruits of which are used even in cooking.

The main part of the sahur belongs to the species of serrate and serpentine cherry. In natural conditions, the first is a tree up to 25 m high. In the autumn period, its large leaves are painted in original dark purple and even brown tones.

Flowers in a small brush (at a length of 5 cm) - 7-9 pieces.

On the serpentine resembles a species of Far Eastern cherry Sakhalin. Its specimens are widely distributed in Primorsky Krai, on the islands of the Kuril ridge and off the coast of the Sea of Japan. The height of these trees in nature reaches 8 meters. The leaves are dark green, blossoming on orange-red branches.

Another species (the ancestor of the Sakur) is a short-bristled cherry. This tree has a height of 3 to 10 meters, with pretty lush brushes in the form of umbrellas, consisting of light purple flowers.

Felt cherry, growing in the steppes, is also called sakura. It also blooms very fluently in May. Its surprisingly beautiful ornamental flowering bushes with pink or white flowers are an indispensable ornament of any garden plot throughout the summer season.

Fruits of sakura, photo

Sakura blossoms are quite short-lived, and it symbolizes the transience of everything that happens in this world. Only a few days lasts a fabulous wonderful phenomenon, and sometimes several hours.

In the spring, at a time when gentle, lush and fragrant flowers appear on the bare branches of the cherry blossom, the whole of Japan is covered with a fragrant tender white-pink cloud.

And what happens after its flowering? Does she have berries? And what are the fruits of sakura?

The fruit of the Japanese cherry blossoms is called sakumbo, or sakurambo. To taste it resembles a normal cherry.

Sakura fruits vary in color from light pink to dark red, measuring 8-10 mm. The plants have slight differences in the taste characteristics of the fruit, depending on the variety and place of cultivation.

Sakura: use

It is used not only as an attractive ornamental plant of sakura. Its fruits are edible, mostly sourish. The size is slightly smaller than a normal cherry. In Japanese this cherry is called "sakura-no-mi".

Japanese fruits are often eaten by cherry. And use and leaves.

They are usually salted or marinated in the same way as canned cucumbers and tomatoes.

A variety of national Japanese sweets are wrapped in pickled sakura leaves - waggies. The taste of the sakura leaves is specific - salty-sweet, sour and spicy. Therefore, they are mainly used in cooking only in a pickled form, and as a food supplement to rice.

Sakura is also used in winemaking. Fruits are used to make cherry wine and jam.

What is the use of cherry fruit? Where is the plant grown?

Most of all sakrambo are grown in Yamagata prefecture. This region of Japan accounts for more than 75% of the entire crop.

In a sense, Japanese cherry is sakura. Its fruits (some varieties) contain vitamins and have a good taste. Despite its small size, Sakurambo contains the following useful substances: glucose, carotene, fruit acids and so on.

It is believed that this cherry has a good diuretic effect and is a good expectorant.

The most popular varieties of Japanese cherries are Satonics. It is most resistant to weather conditions, and also to rain.

But another variety is very afflicted by the rain. This is a sort of Nanie. He's just rotting. However, the fruits of this variety are the largest of all kinds, they can often reach a weight of about 12 g and have an amazing taste.

Mature cherries are collected and put in special containers for shipping for sale.

Sakurambo is also grown in other northern Japanese provinces: Akita, Fukushima, Hokkaido.

Cultural importance of sakura

Almost all rural population of Japan is engaged in rice cultivation. The signal that the ground has already warmed up enough for sowing is the beginning of the cherry blossom. Hence, you can plant rice. For the farmers, sakura is a symbol of well-being.

And the samurai have a special attitude to sakura. For them it is a symbol of persistence and purity.

Not only flowers, but also the fruits of sakura (the photo you see above) on the tree are decorative ornament of any garden. They look very attractive at any stage of maturation.