The term cherry is applied to the various trees classified in the genus Prunus and to the small sour or sweet fruits they bear. Most cherry trees are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere, where they are commonly grown both as fruit trees and as ornamentals. The flowers produced by cherry trees are prized for their delicate beauty. The small pink or white blossoms usually emerge in early spring, but do not remain intact for long since even gentle breezes can cause them to shed their elegant petals. The brief blooming of cherry trees is marked by festivities in many parts of the world, including Washington, DC. The annual celebration held in the capital commemorates the original gift of more than 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to the inhabitants of the city in 1912.