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Genus: Prunus (Almond, Apricot, Cherry, Nectarine,
Peach and Plum genus) Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants) > Eudicotyledons > Order: Rosales
> Family: Rosaceae
About 200 species, found mainly in
the northern hemisphere. Prunus
africana is the only species native to southern Africa and an
additional two species are naturalised and 23 species and at least three hybrids are cultivated in the region
including important commercial crops such as almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines,
peaches and plums.
Species native to southern Africa
List from
Plants
of Southern Africa - an Online Checklist (SANBI).
Prunus africana (Red stinkwood)
Rooistinkhout [Afrikaans]
[= Laurocerasus africana]
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Species naturalised in southern Africa
List from
Plants
of Southern Africa - an Online Checklist (SANBI).
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Prunus persica (Peach & Nectarine)
Native to north and central China.
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Prunus serotina (American
cherry, Black cherry, Rum cherry, Capulin)
Native from Canada to Mexico. |
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Other species, cultivated in southern Africa
List from Glen (2002).
Prunus angustifolia (Chickasaw
plum)
Native to southeastern USA. |
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Prunus armeniaca (Apricot)
Native to northern China.
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Prunus avium (Cherry, Sweet cherry, Gean,
Mazzard, Hagberry)
Native from Europe to western Siberia.
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Prunus cerasifera (Cherry plum,
Mirabelle, Myrobalan)
Native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia. |
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Prunus cerasoides
Native to the Himalayas. |
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Prunus cerasus (Sour cherry,
Morello cherry)
Native from southern Europe to northern India. |
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Prunus
dulcis (Common almond) Almonds are believed to have been domesticated about 5000 years ago in the
eastern Mediterranean region. Almonds are an excellent source of calcium, iron, riboflavin and
Vitamin E. Calcium levels are higher than in any other nut. Almonds are
eaten as a snack and used in many recipes. |
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Prunus glandulosa (Dwarf
flowering almond) |
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Prunus hirtipes
Native to central China. |
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Prunus ilicifolia (Holly-leaved
cherry)
Native to California. |
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Prunus japonica
Native to China and Korea. |
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Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry
laurel)
Native to eastern Europe and southwestern Asia. |
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Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese
laurel)
Native from Spain to the Azores. |
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Prunus mahaleb (Mahaleb, St
Lucie cherry)
Native from eastern Europe to central Asia. |
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Prunus mume (Japanese apricot,
Mei)
Native to southern Japan. |
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Prunus munsoniana (Goose plum)
Native to south-central USA. |
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Prunus padus (Bird cherry,
Hagberry)
Native from Europe to Japan. |
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Prunus salicifolia
Native from Mexico to Peru. |
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Prunus salicina (Japanese plum)
Native to China and Korea. |
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Prunus serrulata (Japanese
flowering cherry, Sato zakura)
Native to China, Korea and Japan. |
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Prunus subhirtella
(Kohiganzakura)
Native to Japan. |
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Prunus tomentosa (Nanking
cherry, Downy cherry)
Native from the Himalayas to Japan. |
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Prunus triloba (Flowering
almond)
Native to China. |
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Prunus x blireana |
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Prunus x domestica (Plum)
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Prunus x yedoensis (Yoshino
cherry, Yoshino-zakura) |
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