Biology:Prunus cerasoides
| Prunus cerasoides | |
|---|---|
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| Indian white-eye in a wild Himalayan cherry | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Prunus |
| Subgenus: | Prunus subg. Cerasus |
| Species: | P. cerasoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Prunus cerasoides D.Don[2]
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| Synonyms[3] | |
|
List
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Prunus cerasoides, commonly known as the wild Himalayan cherry, sour cherry[4] or pahhiya is a species of deciduous cherry tree in the family Rosaceae.
Its range extends in the Himalayas from Margalla Hills in Pakistan[5] through Himachal Pradesh in north-central India, to south-western China, Malay Peninsular (Cameron Highlands), Burma and Thailand. In India the tree is widely revered in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The tree is found in temperate forest from 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,900 to 7,900 ft) in elevation and extends to tropical highlands of Southeast Asia.[6][7]
Description
Prunus cerasoides is a tree which grows up to 30 metres (98 ft) in height. It has glossy, ringed bark. When the tree is not in flower, it is characterised by glossy, ringed bark and long, dentate stipules. The tree flowers twice a year, during autumn and spring. First flowering blooms between the months of January to April and second flowering blooms between September and November.[8] Flowers are hermaphroditic and are pinkish white in color. It has ovoid yellow fruit that turns red as it ripens.
Cultivation
Culture
In India, Prunus cerasoides is known in Hindi as padam, pajja, pahhiya or padmakashtha has cultural and religious significance.[9][10] Among Hindus in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it is considered sacred and associated with Vishnu and Shiva.[11][12][13] During Maha Shivaratri, the leaves are used to make a wreath with wild citrus fruits, which is hung at the prayer altar. They are also seen in Kodaikanal in south India.[14]
In Hindi and Sanskrit it is known as padma, padmakh, pajja, pahhiya, padmakashtha, charu, hima, kaidra, padmagandi. In Nepali it is known as paiyu. In Khasi and Mizo languages it is known as dieng kaditusoo and tlaizawng.[15]
Prunus cerasoides cherry blossom festivals are held in India during the months of October–November.[16] Shillong is notable for its annual prunus cerasoides cherry blossom festival held during the month of November.[17][18]
Religious Significance in Uttarakhand
The tree is referred to as "पंय्यां" in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand, India, and is regarded as a holy tree by various groups in both the Garhwal and Kumaon region. The tree is also worshipped exclusively by shilpkars or doms in certain regions of the state.
Cerasoides is among the few trees in the region that remain blooming at the height of winters during, December and January and hence is worshipped for its resilience. The tree is traditionally never chopped down in Uttarakhand because of it religious significance, only branches can be cut if there arises a requirement of its leaves, flowers or wood.
Its stalk is also used one way or another in Yajnopaveet, Jagar and Baisi. Among the instruments played in religious programs, Lukudi made of wood of Paiyan tree is considered to be the most sacred. Apart from this, the garlands used in homes during the house warming yajns, yagyopaveet etc. are also made from paiyan leaves.
The leaves are also used as incense.[19][20] Village weddings are considered incomplete without having been decorated with the branches and leaves from the tree. Among the instruments played in religious ceremonies, lukudi made from the wood of pahhiya tree is considered to be the most sacred.[11]
Uses
Food
- Fruit — 15mm in diameter, the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.
- Gum — Gum is chewed and obtained from the trunk. It can be employed as a substitute for gum tragacanth.
- Seed — It can be eaten raw or cooked.
Other uses
The fruits and the leaves give a dark green dye. Seeds can be used in the manufacture of necklaces.
The wood is hard, strong, durable and aromatic, and branches are used as walking sticks.
References
- ↑ Rhodes, L.; Pollard, R.P.; Maxted, N. (2016). "Cerasus cerasoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T50026860A50670270.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/50026860/50670270. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ "Plant Name Details for Prunus cerasoides D.Don". IPNI. http://www.ipni.org:80/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=729572-1.
- ↑ See Taxonbar
- ↑ {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Prunus cerasoides | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = January 24, 2014 }}
- ↑ "Everything About Cherry Blossoms Season in Pakistan - Exploria.pk" (in en-US). 2023-05-22. https://www.exploria.pk/cherry-blossoms-in-pakistan/.
- ↑ Chandel, V.; Rana, T.; Hallan, V.; Zaidi, A. A. (2007). "Wild Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides) as a Natural Host of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus in India". Plant Disease 91 (12): 1686. doi:10.1094/PDIS-91-12-1686C. PMID 30780621. Bibcode: 2007PlDis..91.1686C.
- ↑ "Prunus cerasoides - Useful Tropical Plants". https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Prunus+cerasoides.
- ↑ Kurniawan, V (16 May 2021). "Phenology and morphological flower of Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don". IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 948 (1): 8. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/948/1/012047. Bibcode: 2021E&ES..948a2047K.
- ↑ {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Prunus cerasoides | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?29865 | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = 24 January 2014 }}
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tree, Kafal (2020-12-23). "पैयाँ की टहनियों बिना पहाड़ियों की शादी का मंडप अधूरा रहता है" (in en-US). https://www.kafaltree.com/paiya-padam-tree-religious-importance-in-uttarakhand/.
- ↑ Trees In Indian Art Mythology And Folklore, Bansi Lal Malla (2000), p.56
- ↑ Joseph, Nino. "Prunus cerasoides D. Don: A Review on Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology". International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322797785.
- ↑ "Painting Kodaikanal pink in spring". 17 January 2020. https://maverickbird.com/india/south/tamil-nadu/painting-kodaikanal-pink-in-spring.
- ↑ Banerjee, Ananda (11 November 2016). "Cherry blossom festival". Livemint. https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/GpIviaBFwmmj0HSfL8Sk9N/Lounge-loves-Indias-first-cherry-blossom-festival.html.
- ↑ Kamei, Precious (30 October 2018). "Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival". outlookindia. https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/62059/shillong-cherry-blossom-festival.
- ↑ Shahani, Shradha (2 November 2018). "Cherry blossom festival takes place this month". cntraveller. https://www.cntraveller.in/story/indias-cherry-blossom-festival-takes-place-month.
- ↑ Verma, Shruti (13 February 2018). "Celebrating Shivratri the Pahari style". http://www.himvani.com/47766/want-celebrate-shivratri-pahari-way-heres-cheat-sheet/.
- ↑ Jishtu, Vaneet (6 December 2016). "Padmakh (Pajja) – An Amazing Native Autumn Flowering Tree From Shimla Hills". https://hillpost.in/2016/12/padmakh-pajja-an-amazing-native-autumn-flowering-tree-from-shimla-hills/107746/.
External links
Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry
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