Prunus speciosa

Prunus speciosa, (Oshima Cherry, Oshima-zakura [Japanese: オオシマザクラ]) is a species of tree in the rose family, native to Izu Ōshima (hence the common name), on the Izu Peninsula near Tokyo, Japan.

It is a deciduous tree, growing 4-12 meters high. The leaves are 5-10 centimeters long, and 3-6 broad. The flowers are 2.5-4 centimeters in diameter, with five white petals. These hermaphroditic flowers grow in clusters in the spring. The fruit is a black cherry.

A tree about 800 years old of this species is found on Ōshima Island. It is a national treasure.

Uses and cultivation
P. speciosa is mainly used by man in gardening. It prefers sunshine, and moist, drained soil. Because of its large flowers, it has been cultivated worldwide, and has several cultivars. It is also a hybrid parent of several other natural hybrids, such as Prunus × yedoensis. The cherry is edible, and the flowers are used in making tea, like several other sakura leaves.

Classification
The plant was described first by Gen'ichi Koidzumi as Prunus jamasakura var. speciosa. It was later treated as a separate species by Collingwood Ingram. It is occasionally used as a synonym for Prunus lannesiana or in Japan, Prunus lannesiana var. speciosa. The name speciosa, means "the beautiful" in Latin.