It's been seven years since we've tried to demonstrate that we can distinguish these two cultivars. I have to say that I tried what I'm demonstrating here on some unanswered threads in this forum, and I still can't answer them. It is still the case that most of what we can use to distinguish these two cultivars are visible when the flowers are emerging. If the flowers are fully open, you're on your own. I am using photos that have been posted here and there - the photographer names are part of the photo names. 1. Are the emerging flower buds light pink ('Some-yoshino') or dark pink ('Akebono')? This will affect the overall impression - white or pale pink with green ('Some-yoshino') or dark pink ('Akebono'). 'Somei-yoshino' -------------------'Akebono' 2. Are the newly opened flowers almost flat like saucers and pretty much white ('Some-yoshino')? Or are they more cupped, shaped like soup bowls and retaining some pink ('Akebono')? 'Somei-yoshino'------------------- 'Akebono' 3. Are there any petaloids (extra half petals in the flower centre)? If not, doesn't mean anything. If yes, then 'Akebono'. 'Somei-yoshino'------------------- 'Akebono' 4. Now we're getting into questionnable territory. Are the stars looking from the front of the flowers relatively larger ('Somei-yoshino') or smaller ('Akebono')? Well, you can see why this is questionnable. 'Somei-yoshino'------------------- 'Akebono' 5. Another questionnable distinction: Are the pedicels (flower stems), once they are fully elongated, more fuzzy ('Some-yoshino') or very sparsely hairy ('Akebono')? 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono' 6. I can't describe what is different about the habit of the two, particularly since almost all the 'Akebono' we see are grafted, and in that case, it's easy. But distinguishing ungrafted trees of the same age once flowers are fully open - not so easy. Fortunately when it comes to IDs, we often get the benefit of seeing the graft on 'Akebono' trees. 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono'
I'll add some more comparisons. 5. Here is a repeat of point 5 above, fuzzy stems on 'Somei-yoshino', only sparse hairs on 'Akebono'. 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono' 6. Here is a repeat of point 6 above, the general tree shape. The limbs in the 'Somei-yoshino' photos seem to reach for the sky, then change their mind and their direction. The tree that I'm pretty well convinced is 'Akebono', and the one below it, have limbs that remain strongly outstretched. These two trees are two blocks away from each other in Kitsilano, and seem to be around the same age, or at least, they're both old. Another distinguishing feature here is the presence of witches' broom on the 'Somei-yoshino' and not on the 'Akebono'. There are several old 'Akebono' in Stanley Park with witches' broom, but it is rarely seen on 'Akebono', often seen on 'Somei-yoshino'. 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono' 7. Branch thickness is another iffy distinction. Many branch ends on 'Somei-yoshino' are relatively thick, dark and knobbly, while branch tips on 'Akebono' are generally slim and smooth. For sure, this is not 100% - I've seen both conditions on both cultivars looking though photos for this posting. 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono'
Here is another, a late-development characteristic. Thanks to @Ron B for calling me out somewhere on saying that 'Akebono' petals turn pink on the trees. Now that I'm paying attention, it seems they drop white. The trees look pink because the petals leave behind the pink pedicels and calyces. 8. 'Somei-yoshino' seem to drop more whole flowers, and many petals turn pink on the tree. 'Akebono' rarely drop whole flowers; fallen petals are white, to start anyway. Now that I try to find photos of white 'Akebono' snow, it's not all that clear-cut. In some photos, they seem quite pink, but in both of the 'Akebono' photos here, there is a pink area and a white area. 'Somei-yoshino' ------------------- 'Akebono'
