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"Hime-ringo" (Malus x cerasifera) belongs to Rosaceae (the Rose family). It is a small deciduous tree that is said to be a hybrid of "Siberian crabapple" (Malus baccata var. mandshurica) distributed from the north of Chubu district of Honshu to Hokkaido in Japan and "Plumleaf crab apple" (Malus prunifolia) native to China. There are various other theories, such as a hybrid of "Zumi" (Malus toringo) and "Apple" (Malus domestica), or "Plumleaf crab apple" (Malus prunifolia) itself that came from China. The tint pale pink flowers come in bloom from April to May, and have a faint scent. It is often used as a bonsai tree, but when it grows naturally, it becomes a fairly large tree. The fruits ripen from deep red to dark purple red.
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