Ume vs Sakura: How to Tell Plum and Cherry Blossoms Apart

Ume (Japanese plum, Prunus mume) and sakura (cherry) are close relatives and their flowers look alike. These clues help.

Season

Ume bloom while it is still cold — at most famous groves the peak is February to March. Sakura (Somei-yoshino) in Tokyo usually bloom from late March to early April. If you see blossoms in February, they are most likely ume.

Petal shape

Ume petals are rounded at the tip. Sakura petals have a small notch at the tip.

How the flowers sit on the branch

Ume flowers have very short stalks and sit right on the branch, one at a time. Sakura hang in small clusters on long stalks.

Fragrance

Ume have a clear, sweet scent. Sakura smell only faintly.

History

Ume are thought to have come to Japan from China long ago, and the 8th-century poetry anthology Man'yōshū contains many poems about them.