almond tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Almond

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Prunus dulcis var. amara
• Prunus communis f. amara
• Prunus amygdalus var. amara
• Amygdalus communis var. fragilis
• Prunus amygdalus f. variegata
• Druparia amygdalus
• Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis
• Prunus amygdalus var. fragilis
• Prunus communis var. fragilis
• Amygdalus indica
• Amygdalus amara
• Amygdalus communis var. pistacia
• Amygdalus korshinskyi var. bornmuelleri
• Amygdalus elata
• Prunus communis subsp. angustata
• Amygdalus sativa
• Prunus communis lusus compacta
• Amygdalus communis var. amara
• Prunus communis subsp. fragilis
• Prunus communis var. fragilis
• Prunus communis subvar. angustifolia
• Amygdalus communis f. albaplena
• Amygdalus communis f. purpurea
• Prunus amygdalus f. alboplena
• Prunus amygdalus f. angustifolia
• Amygdalus communis subvar. amara
• Prunus communis monstr. marginata
• Amygdalus communis var. pyramidalis
• Amygdalus communis f. roseaplena
• Prunus amygdalus f. pendula
• Amygdalus communis var. rubra
• Prunus amygdalus var. macrocarpa
• Prunus amygdalus var. ovalifolia
• Amygdalus communis f. rotundata
• Prunus amygdalus var. pendula
• Amygdalus communis var. semifragilis
• Amygdalus communis var. serotina
• Prunus communis lusus pendula
• Amygdalus communis var. sphaerocarpa
• Prunus communis f. pendula
• Amygdalus communis var. spontanea
• Prunus communis f. purpurea
• Amygdalus communis var. stenocarpa
• Prunus communis lusus purpurea
• Amygdalus communis var. subrotundata
• Prunus communis lusus pyramidalis
• Amygdalus communis var. tenuis
• Prunus communis monstr. roseiplena
• Amygdalus communis var. tristis
• Prunus communis f. roseoplena
• Prunus communis subvar. sativa
• Amygdalus decipiens
• Prunus communis monstr. variegata
• Amygdalus stocksiana
• Prunus communis f. variegata
• Amygdalus vulgaris
• Amygdalus vulgaris plena
• Prunus dulcis var. spontanea
• Amygdalus amygdalina
• Amygdalus cochinchinensis
• Amygdalus communis var. angustifolia
• Amygdalus communis f. angustifolia
• Amygdalus communis var. cordiformis
• Amygdalus communis f. cristata
• Amygdalus communis var. dulcis
• Amygdalus communis subvar. dulcis
• Amygdalus communis var. elongata
• Amygdalus communis var. fragilima
• Amygdalus communis var. fragilis
• Amygdalus communis var. glabra
• Prunus amygdalus var. pollardii
• Prunus amygdalus var. praecox
• Amygdalus communis var. rugosa
• Prunus amygdalus f. purpurea
• Prunus communis f. macrocarpa
• Prunus amygdalus f. roseoplena
• Amygdalus communis f. salicifolia
• Prunus amygdalus var. sativa
• Prunus stocksiana
• Amygdalus communis var. incana
• Amygdalus communis f. lanceolata
• Amygdalus communis var. macrocarpa
• Prunus amygdalus var. typica
• Amygdalus communis var. sativa
• Amygdalus communis subvar. macrocarpa
• Amygdalus communis var. maxima
• Amygdalus communis var. media
• Amygdalus communis var. microcarpa
• Amygdalus communis var. ossea
• Amygdalus communis f. ostraeiformis
• Amygdalus communis f. ovata
• Amygdalus communis var. pendula
• Amygdalus communis f. pendula
• Persica
• Prunus cochinchinensis
• Amygdalus communis f. platycarpa
• Prunus communis monstr. albiplena
• Amygdalus dulcis
• Prunus communis subvar. amara
• Amygdalus communis f. acuta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is classified under the genus Prunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. Additionally, its distribution extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically within the Baleares. Together, these regions illustrate the wide geographical reach of Prunus amygdalus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus amygdalus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2700 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various terrain types, establishing itself within forest ecosystems and mountainous regions. It is frequently found colonizing shrubberies and stony places, where it can endure more rugged and less nutrient-rich substrates.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Prunus amygdalus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a robust presence in its environment. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural strategy that supports its growth into a significant tree form. This phanerophyte life form enables the plant to navigate seasonal changes by maintaining its primary biomass in elevated, woody structures, ensuring long-term survival and successful reproductive cycles over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus amygdalus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as a self-supporting organism that does not require climbing structures. It is a terrestrial plant, existing as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 6.25 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6.25 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus amygdalus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The vegetative structure is defined by lanceolate leaf forms that exhibit significant morphological variation in size. These leaves typically maintain a minimum length of 3 cm and a mean length of 4.5 cm, though they can reach a maximum length of up to 10 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, providing the necessary surface area for gas exchange and light absorption essential to its metabolic functions.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Prunus amygdalus begins with its flowering stage, which typically commences in March and concludes in April. During this period, the plant produces distinctive pink flowers. Following successful pollination, the plant develops its fruit, which is classified as a drupe. These fruits are characterized by a green color and vary in size, with a mean length of 3.65 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm) and a mean width of 2.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm). The fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. Contained within the drupe is the seed, which possesses a mean mass of approximately 3.49 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 2.134 g to a maximum of 4.444 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit colour :

green

Fruit length max:

4.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.65 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit width min:

2 cm

Seed mass max:

4.444 g

Seed mass mean:

3.493747 g

Seed mass min:

2.134 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prunus amygdalus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Indian journal of experimental biology
2. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Prunus amygdalus has 156 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include benzaldehyde, Phytosterols, Ursolic acid, amygdalin, kaempferol.

benzaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke
2. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP
3. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International journal of analytical chemistry

amygdalin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of analytical chemistry

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of oleo science

p-coumaric acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Electrophoresis

(+)-catechin

1. Electrophoresis

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Electrophoresis

(epi)catechin

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Activities

Prunus amygdalus has 656 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, AntiBPH, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of analytical chemistry
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of analytical chemistry
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of analytical chemistry

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food & function

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anxiolytic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Prunus amygdalus has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Hypoglycemic, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, hyperpigmentation, sperm motility.

Hypoglycemic

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

Ldl cholesterol

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Vldl cholesterol

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Hyperpigmentation

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Sperm motility

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Triglyceride

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Preparations

Prunus amygdalus has 14 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% ethanol extract, Seeds, chloroform extract, chloroform fraction, defatted.

70% ethanol extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Seeds

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Chloroform extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Chloroform fraction

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Defatted

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Dried extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Ethyl acetate extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Hexane extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Hexane fraction

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

N-butanol extract

1. International journal of analytical chemistry