Spring is the season of flowers. As the weather gets warmer, beautiful blossoms take over the landscape everywhere, so here is a guide to enjoy spring flowers in China.
Peach blossoms
Peach blossoms. /VCG
Peach blossoms have no stem with two flowers sprouting from the same branch. Its blossoms and tender leaves appear at the same time.
Apricot blossoms
Apricot blossoms. /VCG
The new branches of apricot blossoms are grayish-brown or reddish-brown. It blooms in clusters without leaves but with long stamens.
Cherry blossoms (Sakura)
Cherry blossoms (Sakura). /VCG
Cherry blossoms have long stems, with multiple-flower clusters all attached at the same point along the branch. The easiest way to tell cherry blossoms is to find the unique cleft at the tip of their petals.
Pear blossoms
Pear blossoms. /VCG
Pear blossoms are white, like cherry blossoms, and they bloom in clusters with long stems. The flowers are relatively large, and the color of the stamens darkens gradually until it finally becomes dark red.
Prunus mume and Prunus salicina share the same name-Chinese plum, but their blossoms are totally different.
Prunus mume. /VCG
Prunus salicina. /VCG
Prunus mume blossoms
Blossoms of Prunus mume. /VCG
Prunus mume blossoms develop individually and have no stem, instead growing straight from the branch. The fragrance of the flower is strong. It has no leaves when it blooms. The petals are evenly rounded.
Prunus salicina blossoms
Blossoms of Prunus salicina. /VCG
Prunus salicina flowers also bloom in clusters with the smallest white petals of any of the flowers mentioned in this article.
After reading these features, the best way to consolidate the information and see the differences by yourself is to go for a walk in nature and enjoy the beauty of flowers.
(All photos via VCG)
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