Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Food - It is grown for its edible fruit, which is also used to prepare jam.
Iraq
It is cultivated worldwide in temperate regions, preferring well-drained soil and full sun.
Cultivated since ancient times, is one of the most economically important stone fruit trees. Valued for its disease resistance.
It is a deciduous tree, growing up to 10 m tall.
Stem is rough and grayish-brown with age, with younger branches being smoother. Branching is irregular, forming a rounded crown.
Leaves are simple, elliptic or obovate in shape, with a pointed tip and finely serrated margins. The upper surface is smooth and green, while the lower surface is paler green with fine hairs. Leaves are arranged alternately on the stem.
Flowers are white, with five rounded petals and numerous stamens in the center. They are borne in clusters of 2-4 flowers on short shoots. Flowering occurs before or just as leaves emerge.
Fruit is a fleshy drupe, round or oval-shaped, depending on the cultivar. The skin can be purple, red, yellow, or green when mature. The flesh is yellow or greenish-yellow, juicy, and sweet or tart, with a single pit in the center.
Flowering: February
Fruiting: August – September