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A
cherry is both a tree and its fleshy fruit, a type known
as a drupe with a single hard pit enclosing the seed.
The cherry belongs to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus
(along with almonds, peaches, plums, and apricots). Sweet
and sour cherries are different species, P. avium and
P. cerasus, respectively. Both species originate in Europe
and western Asia, with major commercial orchards extending
from Iberia east to Asia Minor; they are also grown to
a smaller extent north to the British Isles and southern
Scandinavia. In the United States, most sweet cherries
are grown in the West. California and Washington supply
mainly sweet cherries intended for fresh use. Major sweet
cherry varieties include the Bing, Brooks, Tulare, King,
and Rainier. Oregon and Michigan provide light-colored
Royal Ann (Napoleon) cherries for the maraschino cherry
process. |
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Most
tart cherries are grown in four states bordering the Great
Lakes – Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
As well as the fruit, cherries also have attractive flowers,
and they are commonly planted for their flower display
in spring. Some flowering cherry trees (known as 'ornamental
cherries') have the stamens replaced by additional petals
("double" flowers), so are sterile and do not
bear fruit. They are grown purely for their blossom and
decorative value. The Japanese sakura, in particular,
is a national symbol celebrated in the yearly Hanami festival.
Cherries have a very short fruiting season. In Australia,
they are usually at their peak around Christmas time,
and in the UK they are generally ready for picking in
early summer. |
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