Cherry Laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus) 紅葉李（ベニバスモモ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're cherry laurel blossoms (Prunus laurocerasus) and you may think now these are beautiful cherry blossoms, but in Japan, they're not "cherry." The western countries consider all the plants in the Prunus genus as cherry while Asian countries including Japan consider only those in the Cerasus subgenus (i.e., a subgenus of Prunus) cherry. These blossoms are called in Japanese "beniba sumomo," meaning "red leaf plum."

Having said that however, many Japanese, including myself before knowing that, don't distinguish between Prunus and Cerasus exactly. That's why while I was photographing them, two women talked to me, saying that these cherry blossoms were so pretty. I proudly😜 explained that they were not "cherry" but "plum." Both were surprised and thanked me! The cherry, oops, plum blossoms, not only gave me joy but also created opportunities to have enjoyable chats with these ladies.

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)　ベニバスモモ（紅葉李）

Cherry Laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus) 紅葉李（ベニバスモモ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're cherry laurel blossoms (Prunus laurocerasus). They are cherry blossoms, but not counted as such in Japan. The western countries consider all the plants in the Prunus genus as cherry while Asian countries including Japan consider only those in the Cerasus subgenus (i.e., a subgenus of Prunus) cherry. 

Cherry laurel　紅葉李

Prunus laurocerasus　ベニバスモモ

Prunus Cerasifera Var. Atropurpurea (Purple Leaf Plum) 紅葉李（ベニバスモモ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are the blossoms of Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea or more commonly known as purple leaf plum. Two years ago, I took them for Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, but it's understandable. Both are in the Prunus genus. (So, many Japanese make the same mistake.) One clear difference is that purple leaf trees have purple leaves as suggested by both its English and Japanese names.   

Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea 紅葉李

Purple leaf plum ベニバスモモ

Prunus Cerasifera (Cherry Plum) 紅葉スモモ（ベニバスモモ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is prunus cerasifera or commonly cherry plum, which I mistook for Yoshino cherry last year. Just to be clear, although called "cherry plum," this isn't cherry but PLUM.

Prunus cerasifera 紅葉スモモ

They Are Not Cherry Blossoms.... 桜フライングしちゃいました｡｡｡

Japanese follows English.　英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This year, the cherry blossom season will start record early, mid-March in Tokyo, two weeks earlier than usual. So yesterday I went out to see how they were and found these. I made it!! I found cherry blossoms!!... didn't I?

Cherry plum ベニバスモモ