Manchurian Apricot
Prunus mandshurica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Incorrect spelling. Should be: Prunus mandshurica (Maxim.) Koehne

Prunus mandshurica is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Open well illuminated stony or rocky slopes. Mixed forests, thickets, mountain regions and open sunny slopes at elevations of 200 - 1000 metres.

E. Asia - Korea, Manchuria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. Not usually very palatable raw but it is all right cooked. Occasionally the fruit is sweet and is then acceptable for dessert. The wild forms are usually slightly fleshy to dry, sour or somewhat bitter, though there are large-fruited forms with a pleasant tasting fragrant flesh. Small, juicy, sub-acid to sweet, they can be eaten out of hand, cooked or made into preserves. A reasonable size, the fruit is up to 25mm in diameter with one small seed. Seed - raw or cooked. It usually has a bitter flavour, though there are plants with sweeter seeds. The seed is a possible almond substitute. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The seed is antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and emollient. It is used in the treatment of coughs, asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis and constipation. The seed contains amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Other

Rating: 3

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. A very frost-resistant plant, it has the potential for use as a rootstock. Wood - very hard, durable and attractive.

How it is grown

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. A very frost-resistant plant. Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. Closely related to P. sibirica. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface.

Propagating it: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering in spring.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Armeniaca manschurica. (Maxim.)Skortz. Prunus mandshurica