Siberian apricot (Prunus armeniaca, Sp. Pl.: 474 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 474 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Prunus

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. Asia to N. & C. China

Description

The Siberian apricot, scientifically known as Prunus armeniaca, is a member of the Rosaceae family. This plant is native to a vast region extending from Central Asia to Northern and Central China.

Prunus armeniaca is renowned for its adaptability to different climatic conditions, particularly the cold, which makes it a hardy choice for various landscapes. The Siberian apricot produces delightful, fragrant blossoms in the spring, typically ranging in color from white to pale pink. These blossoms give way to small, yellow to orange fruits that are both ornamental and edible.

The fruit of the Siberian apricot is cherished for its sweet and slightly tangy flavor, making it a popular choice for fresh consumption, as well as for use in jams, jellies, and other culinary delights. This species is also highly valued for its oil, which is extracted from the seeds and is commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products due to its nourishing properties.

In terms of cultivation, Prunus armeniaca prefers well-drained soils and can thrive in a variety of soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay soils. It requires full sun to produce the best fruit yields and to ensure the health of the plant. Known for its resilience, the Siberian apricot can tolerate periods of drought, although regular watering will promote more robust growth and fruit production.

The history and usage of the Siberian apricot can be traced back to ancient times, particularly in regions where it naturally grows. This plant has been appreciated not only for its fruit but also for its medicinal properties and cultural significance in various traditional practices.

Overall, the Siberian apricot is a versatile and beneficial plant, contributing both aesthetically and functionally to gardens and orchards. Whether planted for its blossoms, its fruits, or its historical and cultural value, Prunus armeniaca continues to be a beloved species in many parts of the world.

Common Names

Fra: abricot, abricotier, abricotier commun
Eng: apricot, siberian apricot, albaricoque, damasco, tibetan apricot, ansu apricot
Deu: aprikose, aprikosenbaum, marille
Mlt: berquqa
Tur: kayisi
Lit: paprastasis abrikosas
Spa: albaricoque, damasco, damasquino, damasqueiro
Swe: aprikos
Ell: chrysomilia, verikokia
Por: damasco, damasqueiro, abricó
Ces: meruňka obecná
Nld: abrikoos
Nno: aprikos
Nob: aprikos
Jpn: anzu
Kor: salgunamu
Zho: ye xing, 杏 xing
En: Siberian apricot, Apricot, Wild apricot, Apolekose, Ová’kemene, Абрикос, Ծիրան, ᏓᎶᏂᎨ ᎠᏓᏛᏍᎩ, Albaricoque, Damasco, Tibetan Apricot, Ansu Apricot, Apricot tree
Ab: Аҷарам
Af: Appelkoos
Sq: Kajsia
Am: የባሕር ኮክ
Ar: مشمش
Hy: Ծիրան
Az: Ərik
Eu: Abrikotondo
Be: Абрыкос, Марэля
Bn: প্রুনাস আর্মেনিয়াকা
Bs: Kajsija
Bg: Кайсия
Ca: Albercoquer
Ce: Túrk
Zh: Xing, 杏, Ye xing, 杏 xing
Co: Baracucca
Hr: Marelica
Cs: Meruňka obecná
Da: Abrikos
Nl: Abrikoos
Eo: Abrikotarbo
Et: Harilik aprikoosipuu
Fi: Aprikoosi
Fr: Abricotier, Abricot, Abricotier commun, Prunier Crèque, Prunier abricotier
Gl: Albaricoqueiro
Ka: Გარგარი
De: Aprikose, Aprikosenbaum, Marille
De-at: Marille
El: Βερυκοκιά, Προυνούς Αρμενιάκα, Chrysomilia, Verikokia
Ht: Zabriko
He: משמש
Hi: ख़ुबानी
Hu: Kajszibarack
Is: Apríkósa
Io: Abrikoto
Id: Aprikot
Ga: Aibreog
It: Albicocco, Armellino, Grisomolo, Albicocco comune, Armenillo
Ja: Anzu
Kk: Өрік
Ko: 살구나무, Salgunamu
Ku: Mişmiş
Lv: Aprikozes
Lt: Abrikosas, Paprastasis abrikosas
Lb: Aprikos
Mk: Кајсија
Ms: Pokok Aprikot
Ml: ആപ്രിക്കോട്ട്
Mt: Berquqa
Gv: Apricoc
Mr: जर्दाळू
Mn: Гүйлс
Ne: खुर्पानी
No: Aprikos
Nb: Aprikos
Nn: Aprikos
Oc: Albricotièr
Os: Чъерами
Ps: خوبانۍ
Fa: زردآلو
Pl: Morela
Pt: Damasco, Damasqueiro, Abricó
Pt-br: Abricó, Damasqueiro
Ro: Cais
Ru: Абрикос обыкновенный
Sc: Barracoco
Gd: Abragod
Sr: Кајсија
Sk: Marhuľa obyčajná
Es: Damasco, Damasquino, Albaricoque, Albaricoquero, Marelica, Damasqueiro, Albicocco
Su: Aprikot
Sw: Mwaprikoti
Sv: Aprikos
Tl: Aprikot
Zh-tw: 杏
Tg: Зардолу
Tt: Гади өрек
Te: ఆప్రికాట్
Th: เอพริคอต
Tr: Kayısı, Kayisi
Ug: ئۆرۈك
Uk: Абрикос
Uz: Oʻrik
Ve: Apuḽikoso
Vi: Mơ châu Âu
Cy: Bricyllwydden
Yi: אפריקאס

Synonyms

• Armeniaca armeniaca ((L.) Huth)
• Armeniaca vulgaris (Lam.)
• Amygdalus armeniaca ((L.) Dumort.)
• Prunus tiliifolia (Salisb.)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2017 by Angelo Scaccabarozzi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Nathalie Duchoquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Cocola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by woba azova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Alireza Hoseini (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 23, 2019 by kleim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2019 by kleim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Ελευθερία (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Ελευθερία (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Margherita Pegorin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2015 by Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2015 by Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:729463-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7818643)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus armeniaca L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘feb’, ‘mar’, ‘apr’]

Soil nutriments: 6