Page 255
day's 'Hata-zakura' originated from a celebrated cherry still grown in the Hakusan Shrine in Tokyo, close to the Hakusan subway station of the Mita line. Miyoshi, who described it in 1936 as a white cherry with single flowers and some vexillate petaloids, applied the Japanese name 'Hakusan-hata-zakura' to it, which in daily use became 'Hata-zakura'. The Flower Association of Japan (1982) described the true 'Hakusan-hata-zakura' under the names 'Hata-zakura' and P. lannesiana 'Hatazakura'. It is rightfully named 'Hakusan-hatazakura' though, as stressed by Kawasaki (1994), who gives it as Prunus lannesiana 'Vexillifera' stat. nov. Another popular explanation of the name "flag cherry" leads us to Flag Cherry Temple, or Hata-zakura-dera, an old village temple, now within the city of Hitachi-Oota in Ibaraki Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. According to local legend the warrior Yoshiie Minamoto (10391106) planted a flag staff in this place when preparing for an expedition to the East. The staff proved to be a fresh and sturdy cherry branch that quickly rooted and still can be seen in the temple as an old, many-branched clump. The 'Hata-zakura' now in cultivation does not originate from this temple, though, as explained above. The branches of 'Hakusan-hata-zakura' spread upwards and could indeed serve as flag staffs. The flower buds have only a slight shade of pink that quickly fades to white with the opening of the blossoms. Flowers have five perfect petals and a few petaloids on a long filament. 'Hakusan-hata-zakura' resembles 'Ariake' somewhat, but in every respect is less outspoken and less robust. Prunus 'Hakusan-hata-zakura' Less current synonyms: flag cherry, flag staff cherry, 'Vexillifera', (not 'Hata-zakura') Description: Tree broadly fastigiate. Young foliage light green, only partly developed in the flowering season. Serration single, at the base of the leaf with small, white glands. Stipules slightly divided, 1015 mm long. Corymbose inflorescence, with three to four or up to five flowers. Peduncles 2.03.5 cm long. Pedicels 23 cm long. Flower in bud light pink, becoming practically white when completely opened. Flower 4348 mm in diameter, spreading to an open plane, slightly fragrant. Petals five, with one to four petaloids, slightly emarginate at the top, 1922 Ă— 1619 mm. Pistil one, rarely 2, perfect, 1112 mm long, as long as or slightly shorter than