Peach
Prunus persica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 3-8 m tall. It has an open growth habit. The leaves have stalks. These are 5-10 mm long. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped. They have fine teeth along the edge. The leaf blades are 7-15 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. They are acute at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers occur singly. They appear before the leaves. The flowers are small and pink or white. The fruit varies in shape and size. It is round with a groove down the side. It is 5-8 cm across. It is yellow when ripe. It has one hard stone inside with holes in it. There are a very large number of cultivated varieties.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China. They need a specific cold requirement below 7°C to start flowers and leaves forming but a warm period for fruit ripening. Some low chill varieties are available. It likes a warm sheltered position. It will tolerate mild frosts. Mild hot summers and cool cold winters are best. In Nepal it grows between 1100-2000 m altitude. Some varieties can be grown in some highland regions in the tropics if the leaves are picked off. It needs a pH between 5.7-6.9. In Argentina it grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Many countries. Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Korea, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit are eaten fresh, preserved or made into wine. They are canned, stuffed, made into jam and juice and used in cakes, pies and pickles. The seed oil is used for cooking. CAUTION: The bitter kinds of apricot kernels contain amygdalin which releases cyanide and is poisonous unless removed by cooking. The leaves are used as a yeast starter in bread making.

It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, flowers, gum, leaves

How it is grown

It is easily grown from seed. It can be budded. Trees can be grown from seed but do not breed true. It is better to graft. Branches which have borne fruit should be removed to allow new fruit bearing wood to grow.

Budded trees commence fruiting in 2 or 3 years. Useful bearing takes 8-10 years. Trees often need zinc and borax sprays. Trees tend to be fairly short lived (20 years).

Its other names

Local names

Aadu, Aaru, Aaruu, Aro, Aru, Atami, Boksanamu, Chekom, Dao, Delaoji mikhri, Durazno, Glae, Ke momo, Kham-bu, Krishi, Likphi-kyanyi-ngu-sa-ngum, Limpentjisi, Melocoton, Me-man, Mfysoki, Mikriashi, Mopeta, Mpiasi, Muberegisi, Nara bogori, Paiso, Pecher, Persico duraznero, Persico, Persik, Peso, Pfirsichbaum, Phai-zong, Piichi, Shaftalu, Shanzi, Tao zi, Tao, Tao he, Thei dakte, Umpentijisi, Yetaozi

Synonyms

Amygdalus persica L.; Persica vulgaris Mill.; and others