Species and varieties in the National Collection of Flowering Cherries at

Keele University

Prunus 'Taki-nioi'

Syn: P. serrulata f. cataracta (Miyoshi); ‘Roko’ (incense Waterfall)

Sato-zakura Group

Prunus 'Taki-nioi'

‘Taki-nioi’ is a rare tree. It forms a wide-spreading vase-shaped tree which develops a flattened crown of layered horizontal branches that gives the appearance of cascading down. The young foliage is deep bronzy brown in colour. Flowers are flat-opening single, pure white, 4.0 - 4.5 cm (c.1.5") dia., from slightly pinkish buds, in corymbs of 5 to 6 blooms. Peduncles and pedicels are c.23cm (9") in length. Floriferous. Flowering is late, early to mid May. As its name implies, ‘Taki-nioi’ is a scented cherry with a scent said to be reminiscent of crushed almonds; Kuitert thought it not as strong a fragrance as that of the similar white scented cultivar ‘Jo-nioi’.

The name comes from two Chinese characters: taki (meaning waterfall) and nioi (meaning fragrant). The name can also be written as ‘Roko’ (incense Waterfall). It starts to appear in collections in the early C20.(Kuitert 1999)

Diploid set of chromosomes (2n = 16)

Location

  • One in the Memorial Garden; Square K11; tag 4195. Planted 2012.