Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

Spice Flower Fruit In the University

Family: ROSACEAE

Genus: Prunus

Catalan common name: Melicotoner. Presseguer.

Spanish common name: Duraznero. Durazno. Melocotonero. Pavía.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Chinese-Japanese

Uses and properties: Aphrodisiac. Edible or foodstuffs.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated species. Garden plants.

Description: A small tree, up to 6 m in height, with smooth bark. Simple leaves, lanceolate and slightly petiolate, 7.5 to 15 cm in length and 2 to 3.5 cm in width with a finely serrate margin. The obverse side is a brilliant green, and without hairs on either side. Flowers are generally solitary, rose or red in colour and emerge before the leaves, practically sessile. Fruits are spherical (peach) velvety, yellowish with reddish tones for the part exposed to the sun, very succulent.

Observations: Introduced into Europe during Roman times as a fruit tree, bettering the quality of its fruits by crossing varieties with desirable characteristics.