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Figure 164 The fire bird Shujaku, which came to resemble the peacock in later history, is shown here as it appeared in a poetry collection, Ise-shu *. Sixteenth century, Nishi-honganji Temple, Kyoto*
'Shujaku' (sometimes spelled as 'Suzaku' or 'Sujaku') makes with its spreading and ascending branches a tree of about 45 m high and wide. The strikingly delicate shell-pink (RHS 62-B) of the blossom in its prime is always a convincing point in classifying this cherry among other semi-double or double pink cherries. When standing under the tree, one views the flowers hanging as little saucers on their slender stalks in a nice contrast of colors with the fresh green or light bronze of the young leaves. Pedicels are very thin and compel the buds and flowers to dangle in the slightest breeze. The somewhat bell-like shape of the flowers led Miyoshi (1916) to describe this cherry as Prunus serrulata f. campanulo誰des. In Japan one finds it as P. lannesiana 'Shujaku'. Prunus 'Shujaku' Less current synonyms: Prunus serrulata f. campanulo誰des, Sujaku, Suzaku Description: Tree ascending and vase-shaped, with slender branches, to 5 m high and 5 m wide. Young foliage light green with a bronze shade