Prunus bucharica is a species of wild almond native to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, preferring to grow at 1000-1800 m above sea level. Long thought to be one of the wild species that contributed to the origin of the cultivated almond (Prunus dulcis), genetic testing of both nuclear and chloroplast DNA has shown that to be untrue; the closest relative (and presumed lone ancestor) of Prunus dulcis is Prunus fenzliana.[3][4]

Prunus bucharica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Species:
P. bucharica
Binomial name
Prunus bucharica
Synonyms
  • Amygdalus bucharica Korsh.[1]
  • Prunus amygdalus Batsch var. ovalifolia Franch.[2]

Description edit

Prunus bucharica is a tall shrub or small tree between 1.5 and 7 m tall. Prunus bucharica differs from all other almonds in having broadly ovate leaves and a completely smooth endocarp.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Korsh. Bull. Acad. Petersb., ser. 5, 14: 92. 1901
  2. ^ Ann, Sci. Nat. ser. 6, 16: 281. 1883.
  3. ^ Zeinalabedini, M.; Khayam-Nekoui, M.; Grigorian, V.; Gradziel, T.M.; Martínez-Gómez, P. (26 July 2010). "The origin and dissemination of the cultivated almond as determined by nuclear and chloroplast SSR marker analysis". Scientia Horticulturae. 125 (4): 593–601. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2010.05.007.
  4. ^ "Prunus bucharica (Bokhara almond)".
  5. ^ Yazbek, Mariana Mostafa (February 2010). Systematics of Prunus Subgenus Amygdalus: Monograph and Phylogeny (PDF) (PhD). Cornell University.