Characteristics of Formosan Cherry Trees (Prunus campanulata) in the Wild

Formosan Cherry or Taiwan Cherry (Prunus campanulata) is a species of cherry tree native to Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, southern and eastern China. The tree grows to form a large shrub or small tree as high as 5-8 meters.

This Formosan Cherry tree is widely planted as an ornamental tree in homes, gardens, roadsides, and is a symbol of Nago in the Ryukyu Islands in Japan.

Formosan Cherry is one of the many cherry trees that bloom early. Their seeds represent physiological and morphological dormancy that breaks when exposed to cold and warm temperatures before germination.

 
Several years ago, Formosan Cherry was planted in several locations in Indonesia which have a hot tropical climate, two published locations that can be witnessed are Cibodas Sakura Park and Bali Botanic Garden.

 

Characteristics of Formosan Cherry Leaf

The leaves are deciduous, 8-13 cm long, ovate to oval, jagged edges, and pointed ends.

 

Characteristics of Formosan Cherry Flower

The flowers appear at the same time of the season, bright pink about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide. The petals are oval or oval. There are about 36-41 stamens.

Formosan Cherry flowers bloom before their leaves grow.

 

Characteristics of Formosan Cherry Fruit

The fruit is small round like a cherry, measuring about 10 × 5 mm, stemmed and hanging.

 

Characteristics of Formosan Cherry Tree

Formosan Cherry is an ornamental tree because of its beautiful flowers. It can grow to a maximum height of 8 meters in the wild where it comes from and as high as 4-5 meters if planted in its native habitat.

This tree is categorized as a weed in the Northland Region of New Zealand.