Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3022609

Japanese Cherry

Prunus serrulata

Also known as East Asian Cherry, Hill Cherry, Oriental Cherry, Sato-zakura

Japanese cherry trees transform temperate landscapes each spring with dense clouds of fragrant, pink to white blossoms that open just before or alongside new leaves. Smooth reddish-brown bark marked by prominent horizontal lenticels gives way to dark green leaves with finely serrated margins that turn brilliant shades of bronze and crimson in autumn. Celebrated for centuries in East Asian culture, these trees serve as central symbols of renewal, transience, and spring festivals worldwide.

FloweringOrnamentalDeciduous
Japanese Cherry reference1 / 7
Licensed reference"Sakura (Oshima Zakura) - Japanese Cherry Blossom" by Guwashi999 is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Aphids
  • Japanese Beetles
  • Tent Caterpillars
ThreatsBacterial canker, cherry leaf spot, borers, soil compaction
HabitatsTemperate forests, woodland edges, urban parks, cultivated gardens
Life span40–80 years
Classification
  1. OrderRosales
  2. FamilyRosaceae
  3. GenusPrunus
  4. SpeciesPrunus serrulata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds, leaves, and stems contain toxic cyanogenic compounds; do not ingest wild cherries or foliage.
Why it is dangerous
Contains cyanogenic glycosides in seeds, leaves, and stems, which break down into hydrogen cyanide when chewed or swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by smooth copper bark with horizontal slits, double-serrated leaf edges, and clustered pink or white flowers.
What to do
Enjoy the floral display safely from a distance, and keep pets or young children from chewing twigs or seeds.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Viewing: Visit during peak bloom in early to mid-spring to witness mass flowering.
  • Bark Identification: Look for distinctive horizontal lenticels across smooth, copper-tinted bark.
  • Pet Safety: Prevent dogs from chewing fallen branches or leaves, which contain toxic compounds.
Related species
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