Cerasus apetala var. tetsuyae ("Chojizakura")

Japanese name: チョウジザクラ （丁子桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus apetala var. tetsuyae

[Overview]
A deciduous small tree about 4–7 m tall.
It is found in rocky places such as limestone areas.
The trunk branches from the base, giving an umbrella-shaped crown.
First-year branches are densely covered with spreading hairs.
The leaves are obovate, 3–10 cm long and 2–6 cm wide, with a tail-like pointed tip and a base that is rounded to truncate and slightly asymmetrical.
The leaf margin has deeply notched double serrations ending in glands.
Both surfaces of the leaf have spreading hairs, especially dense on the veins of the underside.
The petiole is 0.5–1.4 cm long and densely covered with spreading hairs.
Two nectaries are borne on the upper part of the petiole or at the base of the leaf.
It flowers at the same time as the leaves unfold, or slightly earlier.
The flowers hang downward, 1–3 in an umbel arising from the leaf axils; they are white to faintly pale pink, 5-petaled, and 1.6–2 cm across.
The petals are 6–8 mm long and longer than the stamens.
There are about 25 stamens, and the lower half of the style and the ovary are densely covered with spreading hairs.
The calyx tube is narrowly cylindrical, 10 mm long, and densely covered with spreading glandular hairs.
The calyx lobes are broadly ovate and serrated.
The flower stalk is very short, and the pedicels are 1–2 cm long and densely covered with spreading hairs.
The fruit is about 8 mm across and ripens black.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
If it becomes troublesome by growing into a large tree in a garden, limit the space available to the roots with a fabric pot to control the size of the tree.
While it is still a young tree, protect it from frost by spreading straw around the base, for example.
Also, it is better not to cut branches needlessly if there is no need.
It is prone to many pests and diseases, so care is needed.

[Notes]
The name comes from the fact that a flower with a long calyx tube and small petals, seen from the side, resembles the kanji "丁".

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