Prunus apetala

Prunus apetala
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus subg. Cerasus
Section: P. sect. Cerasus
Species:
P. apetala
Binomial name
Prunus apetala
Synonyms[2][3]

Prunus apetala is a species of flowering cherry in the genus Prunus in the family Rosaceae. It is called clove cherry (Japanese: チョウジザクラ choujizakura), because of its clovebud-shaped calyx. It is native to Japan, centered on the main island, Honshu.[3][4][2]

Description

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Shrub or small tree.[3]

  • Height: To 5.5 m (18 ft).[3]
  • Leaves: Obovate leaves reach 5–10 cm (2–4 in) in length. Leaf tips are slender; leaf margins double-toothed. Petioles (leaf stalks) and upper leaf surfaces are hairy.[3]
  • Inflorescences: Flowers in May.[3]
    • Petals: Range in color from white to pink; small, 'soon falling'.[3]
    • Calyx: Purple.[3]
    • Stamens: Purple.[3]
    • Pedicels: 1.25-1.9 cm (.5-.75in) in length.[3]
  • Fruit: Black in color, roundish-oval in shape.[3]
    • Peduncle: Peduncle (fruit stalk) ranges in length from 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1-1.5 in).[3]

Etymology

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Prunus is the ancient Latin name for plum trees. The specific epithet apetala is derived from Greek, meaning 'without petals', due to their habit of dropping off the flowers soon after they are formed.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Oldfield, S. (2021). "Prunus apetala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T64120609A64120612. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T64120609A64120612.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Prunus apetala". Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. Retrieved 28 August 2021 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Chittenden, Fred J., Synge, Patrick M., editors. 1977. “The Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening”, edn. 2, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198691068. Volume 3, pp. 1695
  4. ^ "Prunus apetala (D)". rhs.org.uk. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  5. ^ Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 52, 316
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