Almond (Prunus dulcis)
The Almond is a small deciduous tree with decorative flowers and a favourite stone fruit.
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Appearance
The Almond is a small deciduous tree with decorative flowers and a favourite stone fruit.
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Leaves
Pale green, lanceolate or elliptic, 10 to 12 cm long leaves. Round-toothed.
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Leaf upperside
Pale green, lanceolate or elliptic, 10 to 12 cm long leaves. Round-toothed.
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Flowers
Flowering period: II to IV. Very attractive, brilliant white or pink flowers. Usually conjugate. Appear before the leaves sprout.
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Fruits
Oblong ovate stone fruit with leathery grey shell. Stone with broad edging. Sweet almonds have a cinnamon-coloured skin. Bitter almonds contain prussic acid and must not be eaten raw.
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Bark
Blackish bark is deeply fissured and broken up into rectangular segments. The wild form is covered with thorns.
Poisonousness
Bitter almond contains a form of prussic acid. Must not be eaten raw.
Application
Open country, open fields, parks, urban areas, container plants, private gardens, kitchen gardens, front gardens, crop plant
Native regions
Mediterranean regions, North Africa, Turkey, Near East, Western Asia
Location parameters
Light: full sun to sunny; soil structure: normal; humus concentration: medium; pH value: slightly acid to alkaline; nutrient concentration: normal to high.
Demands
Does not tolerate stagnant moisture.
Hardiness
down to -15 C°
Growth
Height of growth: 5 to 8 m. Spread: 4 to 6 m. Conical, broad-crowned, upright or overhanging, often multi-stem tree.
Leaves
Pale green, lanceolate or elliptic, 10 to 12 cm long leaves. Round-toothed.
Flowers
Flowering period: II to IV. Very attractive, brilliant white or pink flowers. Usually conjugate. Appear before the leaves sprout.
Fruits
Oblong ovate stone fruit with leathery grey shell. Stone with broad edging. Sweet almonds have a cinnamon-coloured skin. Bitter almonds contain prussic acid and must not be eaten raw.
Bark
Blackish bark is deeply fissured and broken up into rectangular segments. The wild form is covered with thorns.