The word cherry refers to both the tree and the fleshy fruit (drupe) that contains a single stony seed. Cherry belongs to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, along with almonds, peaches, plums, apricots and bird cherries. The cherries selected for eating are derived primarily from two species – the wild cherry, which has given rise to the Sweet Cherry to which most cherry cultivars belong, and the Sour Cherry, used mainly for cooking.Besides fruit, cherries have attractive flowers, and are commonly planted for their flower display in spring. Several Asian cherries are particularly noted for their attractive flowers. The Japanese sakura, in particular, is a national symbol and is celebrated in the yearly Hanami Festival.
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