Thorny almond
Prunus spinosissima

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2 m high. The branches are strongly divided. They have long straight thorns. The bark on young branches is shiny red-brown. It later has a rough surface and is whitish-grey. The leaves are small and leathery. They are sword shaped. The flowers are pink and do not have stalks. They appear before the leaves. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. The fruit is green but turns pale yellow with a pink or bluish covering. The stone is 1.5-2 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Kazakhstan it grows between 400-1,500 m above sea level. It grows on open warm slopes and on bare rocks. It can endure heat, drought and frost when dormant. It can grow in dry climates.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

How it is used for food

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Nuts - oil

How it is grown

It is grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bodomcha

Synonyms

Amygdalus spinosissima Bunge;