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Prunus andersonii
Species of shrub From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Prunus andersonii is a species of shrub in the rose family, part of the same genus as the peach, cherry, and almond. Its common names include desert peach and desert almond.
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Description
Prunus andersonii is a deciduous shrub approaching 2 metres (6+1⁄2 ft) in height, its tangling branches narrowing to spiny-tipped twigs. Serrated, lance-shaped to oval leaves occur in clusters, each leaf measuring up to 3 centimeters (1+1⁄4 in) long. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or pair of flowers. Each flower has usually five concave pink petals each just under 1 cm (3⁄8 in) long, with many whiskerlike stamens at the center. Flowers bloom before or at the same time as the leaves appear.[3]
The fruit is a fuzzy reddish-orange drupe around 1 cm (3⁄8 in) wide. The fruits are fleshy in years with ample moisture, and dry in drought years.[3] The seed is a heart-shaped stone.[3] The plant reproduces sexually via germination of the seed, and vegetatively by sprouting from its rhizome.[3] One plant may sprout and resprout from its rhizomes to form a very large clone which can spread over several acres.[3][4]
Flowering branch with long gray spines
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Taxonomy
It was named after Charles Lewis Anderson by Asa Gray.[5]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to eastern California and western Nevada, where it grows in forests and scrub in desert and mountains.[6][7]
Ecology
Many rodents collect and eat the fruits and cache the seeds.[3]
Uses
The fruit is reportedly edible.[8] Among Native American groups, the Paiute used this plant for making tea and medicinal remedies, and the Cahuilla considered the fruit a delicacy.[9]
References
External links
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