Tibetan peach

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Smooth stone peach
• Smooth-pit peach
• Tibetan peach

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Prunus mira subsp. nepalensis
• Persica mira subsp. nepalensis
• Amygdalus mira
• Amygdalus mira
• Persica mira

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Prunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within certain regions of Asia. In China, it can be found growing across the South-Central territories. Additionally, its presence extends into the high-altitude landscapes of Tibet. Beyond Chinese borders, the species is also distributed throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it is documented as growing within the mountainous terrain of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus mira is characterized by its specific distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species is primarily found in mountainous terrains, maintaining an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 2000 m AMSL. Within these ecosystems, it thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, reaching a maximum elevation of 3400 m AMSL. The plant shows a strong ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude zones, with its distribution centered around a mean elevation of 2700 m AMSL, suggesting an adaptation to the specific temperature regimes and atmospheric conditions typical of these highland habitats.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Prunus mira is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust root system and woody structure that allows it to endure seasonal dormancy, typically entering a period of inactivity during colder or drier months before regenerating in the spring. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural growth and reproductive maturity over several years, contributing to its stability within its natural medicinal habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus mira is characterized by its substantial stature, reaching an average plant height of approximately 10 m. It exhibits a definitive tree growth form, manifesting as a woody species rather than a non-woody or variable structure. In terms of its physical habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, maintaining its upright structural integrity without the need for climbing mechanisms.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus mira is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody plants that optimizes carbon fixation in temperate environments. The vegetative architecture of the plant is defined by its foliar dimensions, which exhibit significant morphological variability. The leaves possess a length that ranges from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, with a mean leaf length of approximately 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a corresponding width range, where the leaves vary from a minimum width of 1.5 cm to a maximum width of 4 cm. These dimensional parameters reflect the plant's capacity for light interception and gas exchange efficiency within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus mira is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its reproductive structures, beginning with its flowering stage where the flowers typically exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 2.2 cm up to a maximum of 3 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that maintain a highly consistent morphology; the fruit length is remarkably uniform, with both the minimum and maximum measurements reaching 3 cm, resulting in a mean fruit length of 3 cm. Similarly, the fruit width displays absolute consistency across its development, as the minimum, maximum, and mean width values are all recorded at exactly 3 cm. This uniformity in the dimensions of both the floral and fruiting bodies ensures a standardized reproductive output for the species.

Flower length max:

3 cm

Flower length min:

2.2 cm

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Prunus mira has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include linoleic acid, oleic acid.

linoleic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

oleic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Prunus mira has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include constipation, dysmenorrhea, injury.

Constipation

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Dysmenorrhea

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Injury

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Prunus mira has 6 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include "Liang guo", cosmetic base oil, fruit juice, fruit vinegar, fruit wine.

"liang guo"

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cosmetic base oil

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Fruit juice

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Fruit vinegar

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Fruit wine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

High-quality edible oil

1. Frontiers in pharmacology