Desert almond (Prunus fasciculata, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 70 (1874))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Torr.) A.Gray

Bibliography: Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 70 (1874)

Year: 1874

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Prunus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Unknown

Description

The Desert almond, scientifically known as Prunus fasciculata, is a notable species within the Rosaceae family. This resilient shrub is well-adapted to arid environments, making it a unique and intriguing plant in desert ecosystems.

Prunus fasciculata thrives in the challenging conditions of desert landscapes, where it makes its home. It is characterized by its small, drought-resistant leaves and thorny branches that provide a defense mechanism against herbivores. The plant’s flowers are typically white, blooming in clusters that are delicately arranged along the stems. These blossoms eventually give way to its fruit, small almond-like drupes, which are not only a food source for local wildlife but also have the potential for human uses, although this is less common.

The Desert almond plays a crucial role in its habitat, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of desert biomes. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and minimal water availability demonstrates an impressive adaptation to harsh climates. As a member of the Rosaceae family, it is related to a variety of other economically and ecologically important plants, highlighting its significance within the broader plant community.

The plant’s publication history traces back to 1874, documented in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts, under the authorship of (Torr.) A.Gray. Despite its longstanding recognition, comprehensive observations regarding specific ecological roles, pollination mechanisms, and growth behaviors remain sparse, indicating an opportunity for further research and discovery.

In summary, Prunus fasciculata, or the Desert almond, stands out as a hardy and important species within desert environments. Its resilience and adaptability underscore the intricate and often overlooked complexities of desert flora.

Common Names

Eng: desert almond
En: Desert almond

Synonyms

Distribution

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jul 1, 1992 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Aug 15, 2019 by that’s someguy (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3021225)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus fasciculata (Torr.) A.Gray)

Specifications

Growth form>: Multiple Stem

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth rate>: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 7.0