Family: Rosaceae
Author: (L.) Batsch
Bibliography: Beytr. Entw. Gewächsreich: 30 (1801)
Year: 1801
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Prunus
Vegetable: False
Observations: a cultigen from NC. China
Description
The peach, scientifically known as Prunus persica, is a popular fruit-bearing tree belonging to the family Rosaceae. It has a rich heritage and origins deeply rooted in the region of north-central China, where it has been cultivated and cherished for millennia. This association with ancient Chinese agriculture highlights the peach as a significant cultural and economic crop in the region.
Dating back to 1801, the comprehensive botanical document “Beytr. Entw. Gewächsreich,” authored by (L.) Batsch, offers a thorough classification and description of the peach, emphasizing its distinction within the plant kingdom. The peach tree thrives in temperate climates, characterized by its delicate pink blossoms that bloom in spring and its warm, fuzzy-skinned fruit that matures in summer.
In addition to its appealing aesthetics, the peach fruit is celebrated for its sweet, juicy flesh and is a favorite among consumers worldwide. Traditionally, it has been enjoyed fresh, but it is also a versatile ingredient in a variety of culinary dishes ranging from desserts to savory meals. Beyond its edible qualities, the peach tree is a symbol of longevity and immortality in Chinese culture, often depicted in various forms of art and literature.
As a member of the Rosaceae family, the peach tree shares several botanical characteristics with other notable fruit trees, including apples and strawberries. It plays a vital ecological role, contributing to biodiversity and supporting pollinators such as bees.
In summary, the peach, Prunus persica, is not only a fruit of great economic and cultural significance but also a testament to the agricultural prowess of ancient civilizations. Its enduring popularity continues to enhance gardens and orchards worldwide, providing beauty and sustenance to those who cultivate and enjoy it.
Common Names
Spa: melocoton
Eng: peach
Deu: pfirsich
Fra: pêche
En: Peach, Common peach, Akroot, Flowering Peach, Peach tree
Zh: Tao
Cs: Broskvoň obecná
Da: Fersken
Nl: Perzik
Fr: Pêcher, Pêcher commun, Nectarine, Pêcher pêche
De: Pfirsich, Pfirsichbaum
El: Rodakinia
It: Persico, Pesco
Ja: Momo
Ko: Bogsunganamu
Lt: Paprastasis persikas
Mt: Hawna
Pt: Pessegueiro
Pt-br: Pêssego
Sk: Broskyňa obyčajná
Es: Melocotonero, Persico, Duraznero, Durazno, Melocotón
Sv: Persika
Tr: Seftali
Cy: Coeden Eirin Gwlanog, Eirin Gwlanog, Eirinen Wlanog
Synonyms
- Persica vulgaris var. albaplena ((C.K.Schneid.) Holub bis)
- Prunus persica f. magnifica (C.K.Schneid.)
- Persica vulgaris var. pendula (Lavallée)
- Persica vulgaris var. sympyrena (Moris)
- Persica vulgaris densa (Moris)
- Prunus persica var. uninensis (Uyeki)
- Amygdalus persica subsp. scleronucipersica (Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Amygdalus persica f. stellata ((Siebold & de Vriese) H.Ohba & S.Akiyama)
- Persica domestica (Risso)
- Amygdalus laevis ((DC.) Lej.)
- Persica vulgaris var. lanuginosa (Gaudin)
- Amygdalus persica var. duracina (Rchb.)
- Prunus persica subsp. platycarpa ((Decne.) D.Rivera)
- Prunus persica f. camelliiflora ((Van Houtte) Dippel)
- Amygdalus persica var. albaplena ((C.K.Schneid.) Nash)
- Prunus persica f. pendula (Dippel)
- Persica vulgaris var. autumnalis (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. fulva (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. nana ((Mill.) Lavallée)
- Persica vulgaris f. dianthiflora ((Van Houtte) Zamyslova)
- Prunus persica f. nectarina ((Aiton) Maxim.)
- Prunus persica f. rubroplena (C.K.Schneid.)
- Persica vulgaris var. sanguinolenta (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica var. scleropersica ((Rchb.) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu)
- Amygdalus persica (L.)
- Persica vulgaris var. alba ((Lindl.) Holub bis)
- Prunus persica var. magnifica ((C.K.Schneid.) Bean)
- Persica vulgaris f. nuda (Magyar)
- Persica vulgaris var. cydonia (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris (Mill.)
- Persica vulgaris var. leucocarpa (Dierb.)
- Persica vulgaris var. praecox (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica var. sinensis (Lem.)
- Persica vulgaris f. camelliiflora ((Van Houtte) Zamyslova)
- Amygdalus persica var. aganonucipersica ((Schübl. & G.Martens) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu)
- Amygdalus persica plena (Aiton)
- Persica vulgaris var. tomentosa (Moris)
- Prunus persica var. compressa ((Loudon) Bean)
- Amygdalus persica camelliiflora (Van Houtte)
- Persica vulgaris var. scleropersica (Dierb.)
- Amygdalus persica f. versicolor ((Siebold) H.Ohba & S.Akiyama)
- Prunus persica f. albescens (Uyeki)
- Amygdalus persica subsp. nucipersica ((L.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Persica vulgaris subsp. nectarina ((Aiton) Shof.)
- Persica vulgaris var. gibbosa (Risso)
- Persica platycarpa (Decne.)
- Prunus persica f. sanguinea (Mándy)
- Prunus persica subsp. domestica ((Risso) D.Rivera)
- Prunus persica var. nectarina ((Aiton) Maxim.)
- Prunus persica var. lasiocalyx (H.Lév. & Vaniot)
- Persica vulgaris scleropersica (Dierb.)
- Prunus persica f. glabra (Magyar)
- Persica vulgaris var. aganopersica (Dierb.)
- Prunus daemonifuga (H.Lév. & Vaniot)
- Persica vulgaris leucocarpa (Dierb.)
- Persica vulgaris var. odorata (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica scleropersica (Rchb.)
- Prunus persica var. pleiocarpa (Makino)
- Persica vulgaris f. pyramidalis ((Dippel) Zamyslova)
- Prunus persica var. commixta (Makino)
- Persica laevis (DC.)
- Amygdalus nucipersica ((L.) Rchb.)
- Persica vulgaris var. diapyrena (Moris)
- Amygdalus persica scleronucipersica (Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Prunus persica subsp. floriplena (Burkart)
- Persica vulgaris var. rosiflora (Rjabov)
- Prunus persica f. duplex ((Weston) Rehder)
- Amygdalus persica var. multiplex (Bunge)
- Prunus persica f. scleronucipersica ((Schübl. & G.Martens) Rehder)
- Prunus persica f. alba ((Lindl.) C.K.Schneid.)
- Amygdalus persica var. nectarina (W.T.Aiton)
- Prunus persica f. versicolor ((Siebold) Voss)
- Prunus persica f. uninensis ((Uyeki) Uyeki)
- Prunus persica subsp. ferganensis (Kostina & Rjabov)
- Persica vulgaris var. campanuliflora (Rjabov)
- Amygdalus ferganensis ((Kostina & Rjabov) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu)
- Persica vulgaris ovalis (Moris)
- Prunus persica f. caryophyllodes (Voss)
- Amygdalus persica alba (Lindl.)
- Persica vulgaris var. loiseleurii (Risso)
- Prunus persica f. compressa ((Loudon) Rehder)
- Persica vulgaris var. pyramidalis ((Dippel) Holub bis)
- Persica vulgaris var. bipartita (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris f. albaplena ((C.K.Schneid.) Zamyslova)
- Persica mammillata (Poit. & Turpin)
- Prunus persica f. scleropersica ((Rchb.) Voss)
- Persica vulgaris var. nucipersica ((L.) Buia)
- Prunus persica f. praematura (Makino)
- Prunus persica subsp. laevis ((DC.) Arcang.)
- Prunus persica f. albaplena (C.K.Schneid.)
- Persica levis acidula (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. dianthiflora ((Van Houtte) Holub bis)
- Amygdalus persica duracina (Rchb.)
- Persica vulgaris var. caucasica (Lavallée)
- Persica vulgaris var. ovata (Risso)
- Prunus persica f. coccineoplena (C.K.Schneid.)
- Amygdalus persica var. roseoplena (Nash)
- Persica vulgaris f. versicolor ((Siebold) Zamyslova)
- Persica vulgaris f. magnifica ((C.K.Schneid.) Zamyslova)
- Prunus persica f. stellata (Makino)
- Prunus persica f. dasycarpa (Magyar)
- Persica vulgaris var. apiana (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. rotundata (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. mammosa (Risso)
- Prunus persica f. pyramidalis (Dippel)
- Prunus persica subsp. vulgaris ((Mill.) Dippel)
- Amygdalus persica ispahamensis (Thouin)
- Persica vulgaris var. intermedia (Risso)
- Prunus persica f. pubescens (Magyar)
- Persica vulgaris subsp. erythrocarpa (V.A.Zaiats)
- Persica levis (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris f. alba ((Lindl.) Zamyslova)
- Persica vulgaris var. densa ((Makino) Holub bis)
- Prunus persica var. vulgaris ((Mill.) Maxim.)
- Persica vulgaris laevis ((DC.) Moris)
- Persica vulgaris var. carnea (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica var. aganopersica ((Dierb.) Rchb.)
- Persica vulgaris var. violacea (Moris)
- Amygdalus persica var. rubroplena (Nash)
- Prunus persica var. laevis ((DC.) Focke)
- Prunus persica var. subspontanea (Makino)
- Persica vulgaris var. nectarina ((Aiton) Holub bis)
- Persica vulgaris versicolor (Siebold)
- Prunus persica var. aposarca (Burkart)
- Persica ferganensis ((Kostina & Rjabov) Kovalev & Kostina)
- Persica vulgaris f. duplex ((Weston) Zamyslova)
- Persica vulgaris var. ruberrima (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris var. minuta (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris albida (Moris)
- Prunus persica f. aganopersica ((Dierb.) Voss)
- Prunus ferganensis ((Kostina & Rjabov) Y.Y.Yao ex Y.H.Tong & N.H.Xia)
- Persica vulgaris var. tristis (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica var. laevis ((DC.) Steud.)
- Persica vulgaris isolata (Kuntze)
- Prunus persica subsp. nucipersica ((L.) Dippel)
- Prunus persica f. pumila (Magyar)
- Persica chinensis var. radiata (Lavallée)
- Persica vulgaris secedens (Moris)
- Persica vulgaris var. camelliiflora ((Van Houtte) Holub bis)
- Amygdalus persica dianthiflora (Van Houtte)
- Persica vulgaris f. pendula ((Dippel) Zamyslova)
- Amygdalus persica var. scleronucipersica ((Schübl. & G.Martens) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu)
- Persica vulgaris subsp. laevis ((DC.) Bonnier & Layens)
- Amygdalus persica rosiflora (Jacob-Makoy)
- Prunus persica var. pendula ((Dippel) Bean)
- Persica vulgaris var. xanthocarpa (Dierb.)
- Prunus persica var. platycarpa ((Decne.) L.H.Bailey)
- Prunus persica f. nuda (Magyar)
- Persica pendula (Siebold)
- Persica vulgaris var. magnifica ((Bean) Holub bis)
- Persica vulgaris subsp. atropurpurea ((C.K.Schneid.) V.A.Zaiats)
- Amygdalus persica nuda (Gren.)
- Persica vulgaris var. sanguinea (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris flavorubens (Moris)
- Persica vulgaris moschata (Moris)
- Amygdalus persica var. foliis-atropurpureis (H.Jaeger)
- Persica vulgaris var. jucunda (Risso)
- Amygdalus persica subsp. aganonucipersica (Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Prunus persica var. densa (Makino)
- Persica vulgaris var. atropurpurea ((C.K.Schneid.) Holub bis)
- Prunus persica var. longistyla (H.Lév.)
- Persica vulgaris succosa (Moris)
- Amygdalus persica var. stellata (Siebold & de Vriese)
- Persica levis aurantia (Risso)
- Prunus persica var. xanthocarpa ((Dierb.) Magyar)
- Persica nucipersica ((L.) Borkh.)
- Amygdalus persica var. duplex (Weston)
- Amygdalus persica var. compressa ((Loudon) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu)
- Prunus persica f. aganonucipersica ((Schübl. & G.Martens) Rehder)
- Amygdalus persica f. roseaplena (Zabel)
- Prunus persica f. atropurpurea (C.K.Schneid.)
- Persica vulgaris xanthocarpa (Dierb.)
- Prunus persica f. nudicarpa (Magyar)
- Amygdalus persica f. pendula ((Siebold) H.Ohba & S.Akiyama)
- Persica vulgaris var. duplex ((Weston) Holub bis)
- Persica vulgaris duracina (Dierb.)
- Persica nana (Duhamel)
- Amygdalus communis var. persica ((Batsch) Risso)
- Amygdalus persica persicaduplex (Weston)
- Persica chinensis (Lavallée)
- Persica vulgaris f. sanguinea ((Mándy) Soó)
- Persica vulgaris var. muscata (Risso)
- Persica vulgaris f. atropurpurea ((C.K.Schneid.) Zamyslova)
- Persica vulgaris var. foliis-rubris (Mouill.)
- Prunus persica f. mollis (Magyar)
- Amygdalus persica foliis-rubris (Van Houtte)
- Prunus persica var. pyramidalis ((Dippel) Bean)
- Persica vulgaris var. laevis ((DC.) Lej. & Courtois)
- Prunus persica f. dianthiflora ((Van Houtte) Dippel)
- Amygdalus persica var. nucipersica (L.)
- Persica vulgaris var. haematocarpa (Schur)
- Prunus persica var. nucipersica ((L.) C.K.Schneid.)
- Persica vulgaris var. compressa (V.A.Zaiats)
Distribution
- China North-Central (native)
- Afghanistan (introduced)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Baleares (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Corse (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- East European Russia (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Iran (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kazakhstan (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Kirgizstan (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Krym (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Caucasus (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Sardegna (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South European Russi (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
- Turkey (introduced)
- Turkmenistan (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Uzbekistan (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- West Himalaya (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 19, 2017 by Yolanda Gutiérrez (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 11, 2018 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 11, 2018 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2018 by Aude Hentsch (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Megan Richards (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2022 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2022 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2020 by juan llanos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2020 by juan llanos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 29, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Isabelle Nault (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2019 by Didier LAVOCAT (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1212858-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8149923)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3022511)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree
Growth
