The WALA Plant Library
Almond Tree

Synonyms for Almond Tree: Sweet Almond
Scientific Name: Prunus dulcis (Mill.)
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Description:

All sorts of things come to mind when we think of almonds: snow and candlelight, marzipan and macaroons, for example. Or maybe snacks of nuts and raisins or breakfast mueslis. But whatever the context, what we picture in our mind's eye is the edible almond kernel. But what about the plant that goes with it? The first surprise: the up to 8-metre high, bare, frost-sensitive almond tree with its grey bark belongs to the rose family and is thus closely related to the cherry, peach, apricot and, of course, the rose. We can see this relationship when we look at the pink flowers with yellow stamens which appear as early as January in Mediterranean countries. The second new perspective: the almond kernel we eat is actually the almond seed which is inside the hard shell or pit. The robust pit is enclosed in the dry, green, bitter and inedible fruit. The almond kernel corresponds to the kernel inside a peach pit or stone. Incidentally, peach kernels are used to make an imitation marzipan called persipan.