peach tree

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amygdalus persica var. aganopersica
• Persica vulgaris f. magnifica
• Persica vulgaris var. magnifica
• Amygdalus platycarpa
• Prunus persica f. uninensis
• Prunus persica f. aganonucipersica
• Persica vulgaris f. duplex
• Persica vulgaris var. duplex
• Prunus persica f. duplex
• Prunus persica var. nucipersica
• Persica vulgaris var. haematocarpa
• Amygdalus persica subsp. scleronucipersica
• Amygdalus persica rosiflora
• Persica domestica
• Prunus persica var. uninensis
• Prunus persica f. albescens
• Amygdalus persica
• Persica vulgaris
• Amygdalus persica subsp. aganonucipersica
• Amygdalus persica var. compressa
• Persica vulgaris var. compressa
• Amygdalus persica scleronucipersica
• Amygdalus persica scleropersica
• Prunus persica var. lasiocalyx
• Prunus persica var. compressa
• Prunus persica f. rubroplena
• Prunus persica var. platycarpa
• Prunus persica f. sanguinea
• Amygdalus persica dianthiflora
• Prunus persica f. scleronucipersica
• Prunus persica f. scleropersica
• Amygdalus persica var. duplex
• Prunus persica f. stellata
• Prunus ferganensis
• Prunus persica var. subspontanea
• Amygdalus persica var. duracina
• Prunus persica f. versicolor
• Prunus persica subsp. vulgaris
• Prunus persica var. xanthocarpa
• Prunus persica var. vulgaris
• Prunus persica f. aganopersica
• Persica vulgaris var. scleropersica
• Prunus persica lusus alba
• Amygdalus persica ispahamensis
• Prunus persica f. alba
• Prunus persica f. albaplena
• Amygdalus persica nuda
• Prunus persica f. dasycarpa
• Amygdalus persica persicaduplex
• Prunus persica var. pleiocarpa
• Amygdalus persica plena
• Amygdalus persica f. roseaplena
• Amygdalus persica var. roseoplena
• Persica vulgaris var. aganopersica
• Amygdalus persica var. rubroplena
• Persica vulgaris f. alba
• Amygdalus persica var. sinensis
• Persica vulgaris var. alba
• Amygdalus laevis
• Persica vulgaris f. albaplena
• Persica vulgaris var. albaplena
• Persica vulgaris albida
• Persica vulgaris var. apiana
• Amygdalus persica var. laevis
• Prunus persica var. aposarca
• Prunus persica lusus atripurpurea
• Amygdalus persica var. multiplex
• Prunus persica f. atropurpurea
• Persica vulgaris proles laevis
• Prunus persica f. camelliiflora
• Amygdalus persica var. nectarina
• Persica vulgaris f. atropurpurea
• Persica vulgaris var. cydonia
• Persica vulgaris densa
• Persica vulgaris f. dianthiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. dianthiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. diapyrena
• Persica vulgaris duracina
• Persica vulgaris var. atropurpurea
• Persica vulgaris subsp. atropurpurea
• Persica vulgaris var. autumnalis
• Persica vulgaris var. bipartita
• Persica vulgaris f. camelliiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. camelliiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. carnea
• Persica vulgaris subsp. erythrocarpa
• Persica vulgaris flavorubens
• Persica vulgaris var. fulva
• Persica vulgaris var. gibbosa
• Persica vulgaris var. haematocarpa
• Prunus persica lusus camelliiflora
• Prunus persica f. caryophyllodes
• Amygdalus persica var. nucipersica
• Prunus persica f. coccineoplena
• Persica vulgaris var. intermedia
• Persica vulgaris isolata
• Persica vulgaris var. jucunda
• Persica vulgaris var. laevis
• Prunus persica var. commixta
• Amygdalus persica subsp. nucipersica
• Prunus persica f. compressa
• Persica vulgaris subsp. nectarina
• Persica vulgaris laevis
• Persica vulgaris var. pendula
• Persica vulgaris var. nectarina
• Persica vulgaris var. nucipersica
• Persica vulgaris var. praecox
• Persica vulgaris convar. nucipersica
• Persica vulgaris f. nuda
• Persica vulgaris subsp. laevis
• Persica vulgaris var. lanuginosa
• Persica vulgaris var. leucocarpa
• Persica vulgaris leucocarpa
• Persica vulgaris var. loiseleurii
• Persica vulgaris var. mammosa
• Persica vulgaris var. minuta
• Persica vulgaris moschata
• Persica vulgaris var. muscata
• Persica vulgaris f. pyramidalis
• Persica vulgaris var. pyramidalis
• Persica vulgaris var. rosiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. odorata
• Persica vulgaris ovalis
• Persica vulgaris var. ovata
• Persica vulgaris var. nana
• Persica vulgaris var. rotundata
• Persica vulgaris f. pendula
• Persica vulgaris var. ruberrima
• Persica vulgaris var. sanguinea
• Persica vulgaris var. sanguinolenta
• Persica vulgaris scleropersica
• Persica vulgaris secedens
• Persica vulgaris succosa
• Persica vulgaris var. sympyrena
• Persica vulgaris var. tomentosa
• Persica vulgaris f. versicolor
• Persica vulgaris var. violacea
• Persica vulgaris var. xanthocarpa
• Persica vulgaris xanthocarpa
• Persica levis
• Persica levis var. acidula
• Persica laevis
• Persica nana
• Persica nucipersica
• Persica levis var. aurantia
• Persica mammillata
• Prunus daemonifuga
• Prunus persica f. glabra
• Persica vulgaris versicolor
• Prunus persica subsp. laevis
• Prunus persica var. laevis
• Prunus persica var. longistyla
• Prunus persica f. magnifica
• Amygdalus persica f. stellata
• Prunus persica var. magnifica
• Prunus persica var. nectarina
• Amygdalus persica var. stellata
• Prunus persica subsp. nucipersica
• Prunus persica var. nucipersica
• Amygdalus communis var. persica
• Prunus persica f. nuda
• Prunus persica f. nudicarpa
• Amygdalus persica var. aganonucipersica
• Amygdalus ferganensis
• Prunus persica f. pendula
• Prunus persica f. mollis
• Amygdalus persica var. scleronucipersica
• Prunus persica lusus pendula
• Amygdalus nucipersica
• Prunus persica var. pendula
• Prunus persica subsp. platycarpa
• Prunus persica f. praematura
• Amygdalus persica f. versicolor
• Prunus persica f. nectarina
• Prunus persica subsp. ferganensis
• Prunus persica subsp. floriplena
• Amygdalus persica var. scleropersica
• Prunus persica f. pubescens
• Amygdalus persica alba
• Prunus persica f. pumila
• Persica platycarpa
• Prunus persica f. pyramidalis
• Amygdalus persica var. albaplena
• Prunus persica lusus pyramidalis
• Prunus persica var. pyramidalis
• Amygdalus persica camelliiflora
• Persica vulgaris var. tristis
• Prunus persica var. densa
• Prunus persica f. dianthiflora
• Prunus persica lusus dianthiflora
• Prunus persica subsp. domestica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Prunus, where it is known as Prunus persica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Prunus persica, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various European regions. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Ireland. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it is documented in Germany. Furthermore, the species is also located within the borders of Hungary. Finally, its geographical range includes the mountainous terrain of Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus persica is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical settings, specifically thriving within a significant elevational range that extends from a minimum of 550 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational distribution centered around 1800 m AMSL. Its presence is notably associated with "Área Antrópica" (Anthropic Areas), indicating that the species frequently inhabits environments modified or managed by human activity, such as cultivated orchards, gardens, or disturbed landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

550 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Prunus persica is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody structures, a trait categorized under both phanerophyte classifications that define its structural growth habit. Its physiological cycle is marked by a deciduous habit, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically in response to colder temperatures or changing light availability, which serves as a survival mechanism during its dormancy period.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus persica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as a self-supporting organism, rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it exists as an independent entity without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a minimum height of 2 m, a maximum height reaching up to 8 m, and a mean height of approximately 6.625 m. As a fully terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic growth habits.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

6.625 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus persica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density and water storage mechanisms. Its foliar morphology is defined by specific dimensional ranges, with leaf lengths typically averaging 11 cm, ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 16.4 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows significant variability, with a mean measurement of 2.675 cm, spanning from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm.

Leaf length max:

16.4 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.675 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus persica is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The reproductive cycle begins with the flowering stage, which typically occurs during the month of April. The flowers are relatively small, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. The pollination syndrome is primarily biotic, relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a fleshy fruit classified as a drupe. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with a mean length of approximately 3.82 cm (reaching a maximum of 7 cm) and a mean width of 3.3 cm (with a minimum width recorded at 5 cm and a maximum of 7 cm). The fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity. Seed dispersal follows a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a key role in spreading the seeds. The seeds themselves vary in mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.21 g to a maximum of 4 g, with an average mass of approximately 2.87 g. The seed volume is consistently recorded at a mean and maximum of 3400 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower length max:

4 cm

Flower length min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

7 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.81666666666667 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

7 cm

Fruit width mean:

3.3 cm

Fruit width min:

5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

4 g

Seed mass mean:

2.866757143 g

Seed mass min:

0.2092 g

Seed volume max:

3400 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prunus persica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, root.

Seed

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Natural product communications

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Prunus persica has 179 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include amygdalin, Afzelin, Flavonoids, HCN, Hexyl acetate.

amygdalin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research
3. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
4. Planta medica
5. Journal of natural medicines

Afzelin

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC chemistry

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

HCN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Hexyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Prunasin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Trifolin

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC chemistry

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

alpha-Tocopherol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

benzaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Activities

Prunus persica has 712 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Estrogenic, Analgesic, AntiBPH, Antiestrogenic, Antinociceptive.

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiestrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Prunus persica has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include E. coli, constipation, dysmenorrhea, histamine release, hormone replacement therapy.

E. coli

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Constipation

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Dysmenorrhea

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Histamine release

1. Natural product communications

Hormone replacement therapy

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Hyperpigmentation

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Liver cirrhosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Myiasis

1. The Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research

Plum pox virus

1. Acta virologica

Pulmonary embolism

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Preparations

Prunus persica has 5 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts, alcoholic extract of kernel nectarine fruits, methanol extract, methanolic extracts, taoshugen.

Extracts

1. Parasitology research

Alcoholic extract of kernel nectarine fruits

1. Planta medica

Methanol extract

1. Natural product communications

Methanolic extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Taoshugen

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology