AusBonsai

Hey Guys, just going through old photos from Japan....Came across this one...Anyone have any idea of what they might be? I'd think they would be a prunus, but prunus what?

Hi Webos, I am almost certain it is a Prunus Persica (Flowering Peach) . That's the easy part. If you wanted to find the exact botanical name and exact common name beyond that, there are 3 problems.
1. The photo is not detailed enough. I can see the habit but not the exact structure of the flowers.
2. I think the colour of that photo may be a little off (maybe because it might be an older publication or the manner in which it was scanned)
3. If you wanted to pursue it further, I can tell you that there have been so many variants created from this species you would not know where to start. I recently submitted a flowering plum for exact name identification at the Botanical Gardens and I am still waiting.

It might be something like Prunus Persica 'Momo Rosaceae' (refer photo) or Prunus Persica 'Pendula'. The Prunus family is such that you can have 30 different trees with almost identical characteristics. Furthermore, to add to the confusion , the powers that be will give them slightly different names as well.

So there it is Webos,... I hope I have been of some help. See I'm not such a bad person after all !! No hidden agendas here mate.

Now give me that elm tree goddammit!!!

Flowering peach is good enough for me. Ok, you got it, You win the Elm.

I'm by no means an authority on Prunus....or any species for thet matter , but the blossoms have a real density to them.
Could it possibly be a Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrom) ...just to confuse things some more.

Cheers!,
Anthony

It could be one of many species of prunus. I think the blossoms look like an almond. Or it could be one of many other trees as well.

JayC

Flowering Almonds like Prunus Dulcis tend to be predominantly white. I am not saying it is impossible, in fact, you might say the same thing about Flowering Cherry, Plum and Apricot. Statistically however, and based on the inflorescence displayed in the photo, it is far more likely to be a peach.

Definitely either double or multiple Flowering Peach. They only flower in late winter. You can see a lot of these in Brisbane (Inala/Durack region where a lot of Asian people live). If you live in QLD, the Templex nursery stocks a few different varieties of these. The colour ranges from light pink to near red.
Cheers