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exactly the same. Kimura Hisakichi (1968), for example, and the research published by the Kokuritsu Idengaku Kenkyujo (1995) concluded that 'Kinashi-chigo-zakura' (synonym 'Takamatsu-chigo-zakura'), 'Nison-in-fugenzo', and 'Kenroku-en-kiku-zakura' resemble each other very much, as well as a chrysanthemum form named 'Kokonoe' (not 'Kokonoe', synonym f. homogena Miyoshi, described as 'Kokonoye' by Ingram in 1948, nor 'Kokonoe' mentioned by Sano in 1970). A "Kiku-zakura" distributed by Mr. T. Sano is found in the collections of the Botanic Garden and of the Flower Association of Japan. It is identical to the forms mentioned above. Practically speaking, all of these cherries must be grouped with 'Kenroku-en-kiku-zakura'. 'Kiku-zakura' (Chrysanthemo誰des) is in fact similar to this group, but differs in tree shape and details such as the receptacle. 'Kenroku-en-kiku-zakura' derives from a chrysanthemum-flowered cherry tree in the garden of Kenroku-en in Kanazawa. It was presented to a feudal lord of the Maeda clan who owned the garden, and was known long ago among local gardeners as gosho-zakura ("imperial palace cherry"). It might have been a donation from the palace in , although no records exist. As an old, heavily branched tree it drew the attention of Miyoshi who obtained the natural monument status for it and described it in 1928 as Prunus serrulata f. sphaerantha, pointing to the spherical flowers in contrast to the caved-in powder puffs of 'Kiku-zakura'. Plucking off the petals of the flowers shows how this perfect ball shape comes about: the calyx has a protruding receptacle, fleshy as a miniature artichoke and best seen after the second-story flower finishes flowering. Recent Japanese sources give this cherry as Prunus lannesiana 'Sphaerantha'. Miyoshi described this cherry from a very old tree, but it must be remembered that the number of petals in old trees is always extremely high, reaching 380 per flower. Younger trees have 150 to 200 petals per flower. The flowers are borne in peduncled umbels rather than in corymbs that are found on short, thick spurs with a leafy sprout from an end bud. The rather slow growth combined with abundant blossoms that take so much of the tree's energy result in mostly spurs with even more flower buds. The mostly single serration of mature leaves is another trait that is helpful in identification. Probably since its days as an imperial palace cherry but certainly after its designation as a natural monument, it became a sought-after cherry. Plants named "Kiku-zakura" are mostly 'Kenroku-en-kiku-zakura' rather than 'Kiku-zakura' proper.