Differences between fuzzy cherry and Chinese apricot
Every spring during the flower appreciation season, fuzzy cherry and Chinese apricot are often mistaken for each other due to their similar pink flower seas. As members of the Rosaceae family, although they share the brilliance of spring, they conceal subtle differences in flower timing, leaf texture, and fruit characteristics. This article will take you through high-definition real shots to savor the unique charm of these "pink sisters."
Comparison of Flower Forms
Characteristics of Fuzzy Cherry Blossoms
Fuzzy cherry presents a unique rhythm of "flowers and leaves shining together." Initially, the petals are elegant and porcelain white, gradually dyed pink with increasing sunlight. The triangular-ovate structure at the calyx is particularly striking, with ruby-red sepals contrasting sharply with the downy texture. Although the flower diameter is only 5-6 millimeters, it prevails in quantity.
Characteristics of Chinese Apricot Blossoms
Chinese apricot can be regarded as the "vanguard of spring," stunning the audience with its 2-3 cm diameter pink corolla even before the leaves unfold. Double-petal varieties are layered like silk gauze, while single-petal varieties reveal a simple beauty with broad inverted-ovate petals. The deep pink tone is highly visually striking among early spring flowers.
Leaf Feature Identification
Identification of Fuzzy Cherry Leaves
The elliptical leaves are edges with "wolf-tooth-like" sharp teeth, and the three-dimensional texture formed by the sunken veins is palpable. The new leaves are covered with fine and dense down on both sides, resembling a velvet coat, which is an important survival strategy for drought resistance.
Details of Chinese Apricot Leaves
Differences between Fuzzy Cherry and Chinese Apricot
The钝锯齿 edges of the broadly elliptical leaves are more rounded, the front is smooth like polished jade, and short pubescence is occasionally seen on the back at the veins. The wedge-shaped constriction at the base of the leaf is similar to that of the elm leaf, which is the morphological basis for its name "elm leaf."
Analysis of Fruit Differences
Characteristics of Fuzzy Cherry Fruit
The bright red fruit, less than 1 centimeter in diameter, densely adorns the branches, with a high fruit-setting rate that gives it both ornamental and edible value. The fine down on the fruit surface glimmers in the sunlight, and the sweet and sour taste attracts many birds to become natural seed dispersers.
Features of Chinese Apricot Fruit
Double-petal varieties rarely produce fruit due to the transformation of stamens into petals, while single-petal varieties can produce 1.5 cm orange-red fruit, but sparsely distributed, creating a unique landscape of "flower sea fruit stars." The deep and distinct patterns on the fruit stone become important bases for seed identification.
Through a three-dimensional comparison of flowers, leaves, and fruit, it can be seen that fuzzy cherry excels in "pragmatism," with high fruit-setting rate and resistance to adversity making it an optimal choice for ecological restoration; Chinese apricot wins with "visual aesthetics," with its early flowering and double-petal characteristics establishing its status as a landscape plant. Mastering these distinguishing features, whether in garden arrangement or field investigation, can accurately identify these twin beauties of spring.