noun
winter cherry; Prunus kanzakura
A species of cherry tree that blooms in winter. Often written in katakana. Compare 冬桜 (ふゆざくら), another winter-blooming cherry.
See also: 冬桜 (ふゆざくら)
公園にカンザクラが咲いていた。
The winter cherry trees were blooming in the park.
noun
Chinese primrose; Primula sinensis
A flowering plant, not a cherry tree. This sense is rare and mainly botanical.
カンザクラはサクラソウの仲間で、冬に花を咲かせる。
The Chinese primrose is a type of primrose that blooms in winter.
Also a winter-blooming cherry, but a different species. カンザクラ is Prunus kanzakura, while 冬桜 is Prunus subhirtella or similar.
From 寒 (かん, 'cold, winter') + 桜 (さくら, 'cherry'), referring to its winter blooming period. The exact derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.