Japanese cherry tree varieties, Kanzan

Among the more than 100 sakura varieties, one of the most common and easy to recognize is Kanzan, with its spectacular pink flowers and coppery brown leaves.

It blossoms later than other cherry tree varieties (e.g. in Tokyo the average blooming period is during mid to late April), with flowers that can have more than 30 petals (occasionally, the flower has as many as 50 petals). These Kanzan petals, conserved in salt, are sometimes used for a traditional and savoury sakura tea.