Cerasus ×mochizukiana

Japanese name: モチヅキザクラ （望月桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus ×mochizukiana

[Overview]
A deciduous tree presumed to be a hybrid of Edo-higan and Yama-zakura, with characteristics intermediate between the two.
It is found in hills and mountains.
The leaves are simple and alternate, oblong to elliptic, 3–8 cm long and 1–4 cm wide.
The leaf margins have double serration, with teeth ending in red-tipped glands.
The undersides of the leaves are tinged powdery white.
The flowers are borne in umbels and open before the leaves unfold; they are pale pink with 5 petals.
The petals are obovate to elliptic, 1–1.2 cm long.
There are 24–30 stamens.
The flower stalk is almost absent, and the secondary flower stalks are 2–3 cm long.
The calyx tube is about 1 cm long, and the calyx lobes are oblong and about 6 mm long.
Hairs grow densely on the leaf stalks, secondary flower stalks, calyx, lower part of the style, and elsewhere.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
If it becomes troublesome by growing into a large tree in a garden, it is good to restrict the space available to 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 by spreading straw around the base, for example.
Also, it is better not to cut the branches needlessly if there is no need.
It is prone to many pests and diseases, so care is needed.

[Notes]
Hybrid individuals of the same combination, such as the Kattezakura of Yoshino in Nara, the Kabazakura of Ishito in Saitama, the Ohirazakura of Misumi in Shimane, and the Midori-yoshino of Hagi in Yamaguchi, are described as separate species, but there is a view that they should be treated as the same.

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