At UBC, there are four Okame cherry trees blooming: two outside the Asian Centre and two across the street, right outside the Parkade.
You can recognize Okame cherry blossoms by the long reddish calyx-tube that holds the petals together.
Because the calyx-tube is almost red, Okame are recognizable by the red “star shape” in the centre of the flowers.
The leaves grow bronze to reddish green.
Okame are rare in Vancouver because they are prone to diseases.
The Okame cherry petals are falling fast. You should visit this location soon.
This week is your last chance to see Okame cherry trees: most Okame cherry trees have already finished blooming, but because this Okame Cherry tree at UBC is in the shade, you’ll have one more week to enjoy it.
Learn more about Okame cherry tree in this forum post about Okame cherry tree
Want to see more pics? Here’s another Okame tree in Burnaby
All photos Jessica Tremblay