[1] A small bushy tree growing to at most 8 m (26 ft), it generally has reddish buds, shell pink 2 cm (0.8 in) flowers and typical red (if a bit pale) 1.5 cm (0.6 in) cherries.

[2] It can be distinguished from its congeners by certain traits; its 7–16 cm (3–6 in) leaves are broadly obovate, with an acuminate tip, flat and serrated, its inflorescences are corymbose or subumbellate, with at least three and as many as seven flowers, and its branches and peduncles are pubescent.

[3][2] In China it has been cultivated for its edible (if tart) fruit for around 2000 years.

[2] In Japan it is favored as an ornamental tree for its tendency to bloom, flowers before leaves, earlier than the Japanese cherry Prunus serrulata.

[5][4] It is resistant to the fungal disease cherry leaf spot.