Sakura is a very colorful, especially during the flowering period , Japanese tree. It is a decorative cherry from the Pink family. Its inflorescences are also called sakura. It can be found everywhere in Japan in the mountainous regions, along 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 for forms that are highlighted on the basis of some East Asian species, mainly with double pink flowers. This colorful plant in nature is found in various shapes and sizes.
Its flowers are from bright pink to white. Japanese sakura fruits ripen after abundant flowering in some species. They look like ordinary cherries.
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 sakura belongs to the types of serrate and acutifolia cherries. Under natural conditions, the first is a tree up to 25 m high. In the autumn, its large leaves turn into original dark purple and even brown tones.
Flowers in a small brush (with a length of 5 cm) - 7-9 pieces.
The type of Far Eastern Sakhalin cherries is similar to acutifolia. Its specimens are widespread in the Primorsky Territory, 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, blooming on orange-red branches.
Another species (the ancestor of sakura) is short-bristled cherry. This tree has a height of 3 to 10 meters, with rather magnificent brushes in the form of umbrellas, consisting of light purple flowers.
Felt cherries growing in the steppes are also called by many sakura. She also blooms very abundantly in May. Her amazingly beautiful decorative flowering bushes with pink or white flowers are an indispensable decoration of any garden throughout the summer season.
Sakura fruits, photo
Sakura blossom is quite short-lived, and among the Japanese it symbolizes the transience of everything that happens in this world. Just a few days last a fabulous miraculous phenomenon, and sometimes even a few hours.
In the spring, at a time when delicate, lush and fragrant flowers appear on the bare sakura branches, all of Japan is covered with a fragrant, delicate white and pink cloud.
But what happens after its flowering? Does she have berries? And what are the fruits of sakura?
The fruit of Japanese sakura is called sakumbo, or sakurambo. To taste, it resembles an ordinary cherry.
Sakura fruits vary in color from light pink to dark red, 8-10 mm in size. Plants have slight differences in the taste of the fruit, depending on the variety and place of cultivation.
Sakura: use
It is used not only as an attractive ornamental sakura plant. Its fruits are edible, mostly sour. In size a little smaller than ordinary cherries. In Japanese, this cherry is called "sakura-no-mi."
Japanese often consume sakura fruits. Moreover, they use leaves.
They are usually salted or pickled in the same way as canned cucumbers and tomatoes.
A variety of Japanese national sweets - vagashi - are wrapped in pickled sakura leaves. The taste of sakura leaves is specific - salty-sweet, sour and spicy. Therefore, they are mainly used in cooking only in pickled form, and as a food additive to rice.
Sakura is also used in winemaking. The fruits are used to make cherry wine and jam.
What are the benefits of sakura fruits? Where is the plant grown?
Most sakurambo are grown in Yamagata Prefecture. This region of Japan accounts for more than 75% of the total crop.
In a sense, Japanese cherry sakura is useful. Its fruits (some varieties) contain vitamins and have a good taste. Despite its small size, sakurambo contains the following beneficial substances: glucose, carotene, fruit acids, etc.
It is believed that this cherry has a good diuretic effect and is a good expectorant.
The most popular variety of Japanese cherries is Satonisiki. It is most resistant to weather conditions, as well as to rain.
But another variety is very suffering from rain. This is the Naniy variety. It simply rots. However, the fruits of this variety are the largest of all species, they can often reach a weight of about 12 g and have an amazing taste.
Ripe cherries are collected and stacked in special containers for shipping.
Sakurambo is also grown in other northern Japanese provinces: Akite, Fukushima, Hokkaido.
The cultural significance of sakura
Almost the entire rural
population of Japan is engaged in rice cultivation. A signal that the ground has already warmed up enough for sowing is the beginning of sakura blossom. So, you can plant rice. For peasants, sakura is a symbol of prosperity.
And the samurai have a special relationship with sakura. For them, it is a symbol of persistence and purity.
Not only flowers, but also sakura fruits (photo you see above) on a tree are a decorative decoration of any garden. They look very attractive at any stage of maturation.