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''Prunus nipponica'', also called , is a shrub which originates from the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, Japan.〔 It grows to a height of about and can grow in sandy, loamy, and clay soils.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Prunus nipponica - Matsum. )〕 This species is one of the hardiest of cherry trees, well-suited to cold climates. The flowers are a very light pink or even white in color.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=''Prunus nipponica'' var. kurilensis - Japanese alpine or Kurile cherry )〕 Flowers bloom in the first half of spring. They have 5 petals and are in diameter. The pistils are usually longer than the stamen. The leaves are serrated and the bark is gray.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/r/x/rxc9/Cherries.htm )〕 In autumn the leaves turn yellow and orange-red; these are rare autumnal colors for a cherry tree. ''P. nipponica'' wood contains significant amounts of these flavonoids: ''d''-catechin, naringenin, sakuranetin, eriodictyol, taxifolin, genistein, and prunetin. Being a member of the genus ''Prunus'', ''P. nipponica'' would contain amygdalin and prunasin which form hydrocyanic acid when combined with water. This acid is poisonous but in very small doses it can improve respiration, digestion, and a sense of well-being. The fruit can be used as food and to make green dye.〔 This species was first reported by Japanese botanist Ninzo Matsumura in the Tokyo Botanical Magazine in 1901. It is in the section ''Pseudocerasus'' of the cherry subgenus ''Cerasus'' of the ''Prunus'' genus, which are ornamental plants. Ma et al classified it in a group with ''Prunus incisa''. ''P. nipponica'' is on the "List of Protected Animals and Plants in the Wildlife Protection Zone" of the wilderness Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site.〔(【引用サイトリンク】publisher=Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan )〕 == Varieties == Varieties include ''P. nipponica'' var. nipponica'', ''P. nipponica'' var. kurilensis,〔 and ''P. nipponica'' var. Chishima-zakura.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Prunus nipponica」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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