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)
The winter cherry trees were blooming in the park.
Chinese primrose; Primula sinensis
A flowering plant, not a cherry tree. This sense is rare and mainly botanical.
The Chinese primrose is a type of primrose that blooms in winter.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is used but less common than kana; learners may encounter it in botanical contexts.
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.