Cerasus jamasakura var. chikusiensis ("Tsukushiyamazakura")

Japanese name: ツクシヤマザクラ （筑紫山桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus jamasakura var. chikusiensis

[Overview]
A deciduous tree growing near the coast.
The trunk is purplish brown with conspicuous, horizontally elongated lenticels.
Young branches are purplish brown and glossy.
The color of the young leaves varies, being either reddish or yellowish green.
The leaves are broadly elliptic to obovate, 6–11 cm long and 4–6 cm wide, with a sharply pointed tip and a rounded base.
Another characteristic is that the underside of mature leaves is tinged with powdery white; there are 2 nectar glands on the upper part of the petiole.
The leaf margin has single or double serration with teeth ending in glands.
The flowers open at the same time as the leaves unfold.
The flowers are borne 3–4 in a corymb arising in the leaf axils, and are white with 5 petals.
The petals are about 1.7 cm long, elliptic to narrowly obovate.
The calyx tube is 7–9 mm long; the calyx lobes are 6–7 mm long, lanceolate to narrowly oblong, and serrate.
The flower stalk is 1.5–2 cm long and the pedicel is 2–3 cm.
The color of the young leaves corresponds to the color of the calyx tube, calyx lobes and flower stalk.
The flower stalk, pedicel, calyx tube and calyx lobes are hairless.
The fruit ripens to blackish purple and is bitter.
It closely resembles Yamazakura, but can be distinguished by the less reddish new leaves, larger flowers, serrate calyx lobes and larger leaves.

[History]
It was first described as a separate species by Koizumi Genichi, but later research led to its treatment as a variety of Yamazakura.

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

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