Hybrid species of tree
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Prunus" × "yedoensis (synonym Cerasus" × "yedoensis) is a hybrid cherry tree between "Prunus speciosa" ("Oshima cherry") as father plant and "Prunus pendula" f. "ascendens" (syn. "Prunus itosakura", "Prunus subhirtella" var. "ascendens", "Edo higan") as mother. It is a hybrid born in Japan and one of its cultivars, "Prunus" × "yedoensis" 'Somei-yoshino' or Yoshino cherry (Japanese: 染井吉野　ソメイヨシノ "Somei Yoshino"), is one of the most popular and widely planted cherry cultivars in temperate regions around the world today. 'Somei-yoshino' is a clone from a single tree, and has been propagated by grafting all over the world. 'Somei-yoshino' inherits "Edo higan'"s quality of blooming before the leaves unfold and it growing into a large-sized tree. It also inherits the characteristics of the "Oshima cherry", which grows rapidly and has white flowers. These characteristics are favored and have become one of the most popular cultivars of cherry trees.
One of the spots where "P." × "yedoensis" grows wild is around Funabara Pass on the Izu Peninsula, which is close to the birthplace of its paternal species, Oshima cherry, and the wild "P." × "yedoensis" in the area and the cultivar developed from it are called 'Funabara-yoshino'.
On April 1, 2019, the Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Shimane University and Kyoto Prefectural University announced that they had decoded all the genetic information of 'Somei-Yoshino', and it was revealed that 'Somei-yoshino' descended from "Edo higan" and "Oshima cherry", as is commonly believed. It was also revealed that the two ancestral species separated into different species 5.52 million years ago, and that 'Somei-yoshino' was born by hybridization over 100 years ago.
Although it was not recognized as a 'Somei-Yoshino' at the time of planting, the oldest verifiable record of a 'Somei-Yoshino' tree being planted is a record of its planting in the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in 1775. There are also existing 'Somei-Yoshino' trees planted in Koishikawa Botanical Garden in 1875, in in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture in 1878, and in Hirosaki Castle in 1882, which are sometimes referred to as the oldest 'Somei-Yoshino' trees. As of 2019, the Tree Health Research Society, Japan has recognized the oldest surviving 'Somei-Yoshino' in Japan, the one on Kaiseizan Park planted in 1878, based on the results of radiocarbon dating and other scientific studies.
Names.
In 1900, Yorinaga Fujino gave the Yoshino cherry the name "Somei-yoshino" after the famous place of cultivation, Somei village (current day Toshima) and famous place of "", Mount Yoshino. In 1901, the Yoshino cherry was given the scientific name "Prunus yedoensis" by Jinzō Matsumura. However, after Ernest Henry Wilson suggested Yoshino cherry is a hybrid between "Prunus subhirtella" var. "ascendens" ("Edo higan") and "Prunus lannesiana" ("Oshima cherry") in 1916, Yoshino cherry came to be called "Prunus" × "yedoensis". As for the Korean native cherry called King cherry which was given a scientific name "Prunus yedoensis" var. "nudiflora" by a German botanist Bernhard Adalbert Emil Koehne in 1912 continues to be called "Prunus yedoensis".
The Yoshino cherry has no scientific cultivar name because it is the original cultivar of this hybrid species "Prunus" × "yedoensis". A new name, 'Somei-yoshino' is proposed in accordance with other cultivars of "Prunus" × "yedoensis".
Description.
"Prunus" × "yedoensis" is a small, deciduous tree that grows to be (rarely ) tall at maturity. It grows well in hardiness zones 5–8, and does well in full sun and moist but well-drained soil. The leaves are alternately arranged, long and broad, with a serrated margin; they are often bronze-toned when newly emerged, becoming dark green by summer.
The flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring; they are fragrant, in diameter, with five white or pale pink petals. The flowers grow in clusters of five or six together.
The fruit, a small cherry, is a globose drupe in diameter; they are an important source of food for many small birds and mammals, including robins and thrushes. Although the fruit contain little flesh, it contains much concentrated red juice which can stain clothing and bricks. The fruit is only marginally sweet to the human palate.
Cultivation.
With its fragrant, light pink flowers, manageable size, and elegant shape, the Yoshino cherry is often used as an ornamental tree. Many cultivars have been selected; notable examples include 'Akebono' (or 'America' in Japan), 'Ivensii', and 'Shidare Yoshino'.
From the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, gardeners and craftsman who made the village at Somei in Edo (now Komagome, Toshima ward, Tokyo) grew "someiyoshino". They first offered them as "Yoshinozakura", but in 1900, they were renamed "someiyoshino" by Dr. Fujino. This is sometimes rendered as 'Somei-Yoshino'.
The Yoshino cherry was introduced to Europe and North America in 1902. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo to the city of Washington. They are planted in the Tidal Basin park. Several of 2,000 Japanese cherry trees given to the citizens of Toronto by the citizens of Tokyo in 1959 were planted in High Park. Pilgrim Hill in New York City's Central Park is popular for its groves of pale flowering Yoshino cherry trees as they burst into bloom in the spring.
Parental species.
Most studies show that Yoshino cherry ('Somei-yoshino') is a hybrid between "Prunus speciosa" ("Oshima cherry") and "Prunus pendula" f. "ascendens". (syn. "Prunus itosakura", "Prunus subhirtella" var. "ascendens", "Edo higan").
Other cultivars.
"Prunus" × "yedoensis" has many cultivars other than 'Somei-yoshino' (Yoshino cherry).
References.
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External links.
 Media related to at Wikimedia Commons