Prunus serrulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions of Asia and Oceania. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Manchuria territories. The species also extends its range into Eastern Asia, specifically inhabiting the Korean peninsula. Furthermore, the plant has established itself in the northern parts of New Zealand. Together, these locations highlight a broad natural habitat for Prunus serrulata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus serrulata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from lowland regions up to high-altitude environments. The species thrives across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 500 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 3200 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1900 m AMSL. In terms of its biological associations within the soil matrix, the plant does not exhibit mycorrhizal dependency, as it lacks a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizae.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Prunus serrulata is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it develops significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs well above the ground level, though it can also be classified under the broader category of nanophanerophyte depending on the specific growth stage and environmental context. This species follows a deciduous pattern, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage to manage resources and survive periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus serrulata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. It is a terrestrial species, not classified as an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic plant. In terms of its stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in size, with a minimum height of 2 m, a maximum height of 15 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 8.625 m. As a self-supporting tree, it does not possess climbing habits such as lianas or vines, maintaining a robust and upright structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

8.625 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus serrulata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative morphology is defined by specific leaf dimensions, where the leaf length typically averages 7.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 13.1 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width exhibits a mean value of approximately 4.43 cm, with individual measurements spanning from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 5.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

13.1 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

5.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.43333333333333 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus serrulata is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in May, characterized by inflorescences that range in length from 0.05 m to 0.1 m. The individual flowers are relatively small, with lengths varying between 0.5 cm and 0.7 cm. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit with dimensions ranging from a minimum width of 0.7 cm and length of 0.7 cm to a maximum width of 1 cm and length of 1 cm, with mean measurements recorded at 1.05 cm in width and 0.825 cm in length. The seeds produced during this cycle are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0571275 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0529 g to a maximum of 0.06135 g. The dispersal of the species is classified under the anthropochorous syndrome, indicating human-mediated movement.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower length max:

0.7 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.825 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.05 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.06135 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0571275 g

Seed mass min:

0.0529 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prunus serrulata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)