Changes

12,669 bytes added ,  14:45, 11 April 2007
no edit summary
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Prunus
| image = Prunus-domestica.JPG
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Plum (''Prunus domestica'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Prunoideae]]
| genus = '''''Prunus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
Include:
<br>''[[Prunus alabamensis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus africana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus alleghaniensis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus americana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus andersonii]]''
<br>''[[Prunus angustifolia]]''
<br>''[[Prunus apetala]]''
<br>''[[Prunus armeniaca]]''
<br>''[[Prunus avium]]''
<br>''[[Prunus buergeriana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus caroliniana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus cerasifera]]''
<br>''[[Prunus cerasoides]]''
<br>''[[Prunus cerasus]]''
<br>''[[Prunus crassifolia]]''
<br>''[[Prunus domestica]]''
<br>''[[Prunus dulcis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus emarginata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus fasciculata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus fremontii]]''
<br>''[[Prunus fruticosa]]''
<br>''[[Prunus geniculata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus glandulosa]]''
<br>''[[Prunus gracilis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus grayana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus havardii]]''
<br>''[[Prunus hortulana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus ilicifolia]]''
<br>''[[Prunus japonica]]''
<br>''[[Prunus laurocerasus]]''
<br>''[[Prunus lusitanica]]''
<br>''[[Prunus maackii]]''
<br>''[[Prunus mahaleb]]''
<br>''[[Prunus maritima]]''
<br>''[[Prunus maximowiczii]]''
<br>''[[Prunus mexicana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus minutiflora]]''
<br>''[[Ume|Prunus mume]]''
<br>''[[Prunus munsoniana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus murrayana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus myrtifolia]]''
<br>''[[Prunus nigra]]''
<br>''[[Prunus occidentalis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus padus]]''
<br>''[[Prunus pensylvanica]]''
<br>''[[Prunus persica]]''
<br>''[[Prunus pleuradenia]]''
<br>''[[Prunus pumula]]''
<br>''[[Prunus rivularis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus salicina]]''
<br>''[[Prunus serotina]]''
<br>''[[Prunus serrulata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus spinosa]]''
<br>''[[Prunus spinulosa]]''
<br>''[[Prunus ssiori]]''
<br>''[[Prunus subcordata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus subhirtella]]''
<br>''[[Prunus tenella]]''
<br>''[[Prunus texana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus tomentosa]]''
<br>''[[Prunus triloba]]''
<br>''[[Prunus umbellata]]''
<br>''[[Prunus verecunda]]''
<br>''[[Prunus virginiana]]''
<br>''[[Prunus yedoensis]]''
<br>''[[Prunus zippeliana]]''
}}

'''Prunus''' is a [[genus]] of [[tree]]s and [[shrub]]s, including the [[plum]]s, [[cherry|cherries]], [[peach]]es, [[apricot]]s and [[almond]]s. It is traditionally placed within the [[rose]] family [[Rosaceae]] as a [[subfamily]], the [[Prunoideae]] (or [[Amygdaloideae]]), but sometimes placed in its own family, the [[Prunaceae]] (or Amygdalaceae). There are several hundred species of ''Prunus'', spread throughout the northern temperate regions of the globe.

The flowers are usually white to pink, with five [[petal]]s and five [[sepal]]s. They are borne singly, or in [[umbel]]s of two to six or more on [[raceme]]s. The fruit of all ''Prunus'' species is a [[drupe]] with a relatively large "stone". Leaves are simple and usually [[leaf shape|lanceolate]], unlobed and toothed along the margin.

==Classification==
Some treatments break the genus up into several different genera, but this segregation is not widely recognised other than at the subgeneric rank. [[Integrated Taxonomic Information System|ITIS]] recognises just the single Genus ''Prunus'', with the incomplete list of [[species]] as shown in the box on the right.
*'''''Prunus'' subgenera:'''
**Subgenus ''Amygdalus'': [[almond]]s and [[peach]]es. Axillary buds in threes (vegetative bud central, two flower buds to sides). Flowers in early spring, sessile or nearly so, not on leafed shoots. Fruit with a groove along one side; stone deeply grooved. Type species ''Prunus dulcis'' (Almond).
**Subgenus ''Prunus'': [[plum]]s and [[apricot]]s. Axillary buds solitary. Flowers in early spring stalked, not on leafed shoots. Fruit with a groove along one side; stone rough. Type species ''Prunus domestica'' (Plum).
**Subgenus ''Cerasus'': [[cherry|cherries]]. Axillary buds single. Flowers in early spring in corymbs, long-stalked, not on leafed shoots. Fruit not grooved; stone smooth. Type species ''Prunus cerasus'' (Sour cherry).
**Subgenus ''Lithocerasus'': [[dwarf cherry|dwarf cherries]]. Axillary buds in threes. Flowers in early spring in corymbs, long-stalked, not on leafed shoots. Fruit not grooved; stone smooth. Type species ''Prunus pumila'' (Sand cherry).
**Subgenus ''Padus'': [[bird cherry|bird cherries]]. Axillary buds single. Flowers in late spring in racemes on leafy shoots, short-stalked. Fruit not grooved; stone smooth. Type species ''Prunus padus'' (European bird cherry).
**Subgenus ''Laurocerasus'': [[cherry-laurel]]s. Axillary buds single. Flowers in early spring in racemes, not on leafed shoots, short-stalked. Fruit not grooved; stone smooth. Mostly [[evergreen]] (all the other subgenera are [[deciduous]]). Type species ''Prunus laurocerasus'' (European cherry-laurel).

==Uses==
The genus ''Prunus'' includes the [[almond]], [[apricot]], [[cherry]], [[peach]] and [[plum]], all of which have [[cultivar]]s developed for commercial [[fruit]] production. The edible part of the almond is the seed; the almond fruit is a drupe and not a "[[Nut (fruit)|nut]]". There are also a number of species, [[hybrid]]s, and [[cultivar]]s grown strictly as [[ornamental plant]]s, usually for their profusion of flowers, occasionally for leaves and bark. These ornamentals include the group that may be collectively called ''flowering cherries''.

[[Pygeum]] is a herbal remedy containing extracts from the bark of ''[[Prunus africana]]''. It is used as to alleviate some of the discomfort caused by inflammation in patients suffering from [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]].

Because of their considerable value as both food and ornamental plants, many ''Prunus'' species have been [[introduced species|introduced]] to parts of the world to which they are not native. Many of the Old World species are grown for ornament or fruit, and have been planted throughout the world; and some have become naturalised beyond their native range.

''Prunus'' species are used as food plants for the [[larva]]e of a large number of [[Lepidoptera]] species - see [[list of Lepidoptera which feed on Prunus]].

==Selected species by continent==
Note: these lists are probably incomplete.

===Old World:===
*''Prunus africana'' - African Cherry, Red Stinkwood, [[Pygeum]]. [[Afromontane|Montane forests]] of [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and [[Madagascar]]. Over-harvesting of bark for herbal remedies has led to it becoming endangered it its natural habitats.
*''Prunus apetala'' - Japan.
*''Prunus armeniaca'' - [[Apricot]]. Central Asia to China.
*''Prunus avium'' - [[Wild Cherry]], also called the Gean, Mazzard, or Sweet Cherry, and the parent of most of the edible [[cherry|cherries]]. Europe to West Asia.
*''Prunus brigantina'' - Briançon Apricot. Southeast France.
*''Prunus buergeriana'' - Japan.
*''Prunus campanulata'' - Bell-flowered Cherry. Southern China, Taiwan.
*''Prunus canescens'' - Greyleaf Cherry. China.
*''Prunus cantabridgensis'' - Cambridge Cherry. Unknown origin, probably east Asia, possibly hybrid.
*''Prunus caspica''
*''Prunus cerasus'' - [[Sour Cherry]] or Morello Cherry. Europe and southwest Asia.
*''Prunus cerasifera'' - Myrobalan Plum or [[Cherry Plum]]. Southeast Europe and southwest Asia.
*''[[Prunus cerasoides]]''- Wild Himalayan cherry
*''Prunus cocomilia'' - Naples Plum. Southeast Europe (Italy, Balkans).
*''Prunus cornuta'' - Himalayan Bird Cherry. Himalaya.
*''Prunus crassifolia'' - One of only two ''Prunus'' species native to Africa.
*''Prunus dasycarpa'' - Black Apricot. Probably a hybrid ''P. armeniaca'' x ''P. cerasifera''.
*''Prunus davidiana'' - David's Peach. China.
*''Prunus divaricata''
*''Prunus domestica'' - [[Plum]]. Believed to be a hybrid, probably from West Asia and the Caucasus.
*''Prunus domestica'' var. ''insititia'' - [[Bullace]] and [[Damson]]
*''Prumus domestica'' var. ''italica'' - [[Greengage]]
*''Prunus domestica'' var. ''syriaca'' - [[Mirabelle]]
*''Prunus dulcis'' - [[Almond]]. Southeast Europe, southwest Asia.
*''Prunus fruticosa'' - Ground Cherry. Northeastern Europe, northern Asia.
*''Prunus grayana'' - Gray's Bird Cherry. Japan.
*''Prunus incana'' - Willow Cherry. Asia Minor, Caucasus.
*''Prunus incisa'' - Fuji Cherry. Japan.
*''Prunus insititia''
*''Prunus italica''
*''Prunus jacquemontii'' - Afghan Cherry. Northwest Himalaya in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
*''Prunus japonica'' - China, (cultivated in Japan).
*''Prunus laurocerasus'' - [[Cherry laurel|Cherry Laurel]], of the Balkans and West Asia.
*''Prunus lusitanica'' - Portugal Laurel. From Iberia.
*''Prunus maackii'' - [[Manchurian Cherry]]. Northeast Asia.
*''Prunus mahaleb'' - St Lucie Cherry, or Mahaleb Cherry. Europe.
*''Prunus maximowiczii'' - Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russian far east.
*''Prunus mume'' - [[Ume]], aka Japanese apricot. China and Japan.
*''Prunus nipponica'' - Japanese Alpine Cherry. Japan.
*''Prunus padus'' - Bird Cherry. Northern Eurasia.
*''Prunus persica'' - [[Peach]], origin uncertain, probably West Asia.
*''Prunus prostrata'' - Mountain Cherry. Mediterranean region.
*''Prunus ramburii''
*''Prunus salicina'' - Japanese Plum. Japan, China.
*''Prunus sargentii'' - Sargent's Cherry. Northern Japan.
*''Prunus serrula'' - Tibetan Cherry. Western China to central Asia.
*''Prunus serrulata'' - Japanese Cherry ([[Sakura]]). Eastern Asia.[[Image:Japanese-Cherry.web.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Japanese Cherry (''Prunus serrulata'') in bloom]]
*''Prunus sibirica'' - Siberian Apricot. Northeastern Asia.
*''Prunus simonii'' - Apricot Plum. Northern China.
*''Prunus sogdiana''
*''Prunus speciosa'' - Oshima Cherry. Oshima & Izu Islands of Japan.
*''Prunus spinosa'' - [[Blackthorn]] or Sloe. Europe, North Africa, West Asia.
*''Prunus spinulosa'' - central and southern Japan.
*''Prunus ssiori'' - Japan, Manchuria, Russian far east.
*''Prunus subhirtella'' - origin uncertain, but probably East Asia.
*''Prunus tenella'' - Dwarf Russian Almond. Black Sea area.
*''Prunus tomentosa'' - Downy Cherry. Southwestern China, Himalaya.
*''Prunus ussuriensis''
*''Prunus ursina''
*''Prunus verecunda'' - Japan, Korea.
*''Prunus yedoensis'' - Yoshino Cherry. Japan, probably of cultivated hybrid origin.
*''Prunus zippeliana'' - central and southern Japan, Taiwan.

===North America:===
*''Prunus allegheniensis'' - Allegheny Plum. In the Appalachian belt.
*''Prunus americana'' - American Plum. Most of the U.S. east of the Great Plains and southernmost Canada.
*''Prunus andersonii'' - [[Prunus andersonii|Desert Peach]]. Western U.S.
*''Prunus angustifolia'' - Chickasaw Plum. Southeast U.S.
*''Prunus besseyi'' - Rocky Mountain Cherry. Great Plains & eastern Rocky Mts.
*''Prunus caroliniana'' - Carolina Cherry Laurel. Southeast U.S.
*''Prunus emarginata'' - [[Bitter Cherry]]. British Columbia to California.
*''Prunus hortulana'' - Hortulan Plum. Mostly Missouri and Illinois and surrounding areas.
*''Prunus ilicifolia''. [[Prunus ilicifolia|Hollyleaf Cherry]]. California.
*''Prunus maritima'' - [[Beach plum|Beach Plum]]. Northeast Atlantic coast.
*''Prunus mexicana'' - Bigtree Plum. Southeast Great Plains.
*''[[Prunus munsoniana]]'' - Wild-goose Plum. Mostly Missouri and eastern Kansas and surrounding areas.
*''Prunus nigra'' - Canada Plum. Southeasternmost Canada west to Manitoba and northeasternmost U.S.
*''Prunus pensylvanica'' - [[Pin cherry|Pin Cherry]]. Southern half of Canada and northernmost U.S.
*''Prunus pumila'' - [[Prunus pumula|Sand Cherry]]. Southeast and south-central Canada and northern U.S. west to Wyoming.
*''Prunus serotina'' - [[Black Cherry]]. Southeasternmost Canada and most of U.S. east of Great Plains, also found in Arizona and Guatemala.
*''Prunus subcordata'' - [[Prunus subcordata|Klamath Plum]]. Oregon, California.
*''Prunus virginiana'' - [[Chokecherry]]. Southern Canada and most of eastern U.S. except for deep south.

== See also ==
* [[blossom]]
* [[fruit tree]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?9887 Partial ''Prunus'' species listing]: by National Genetics Resources Prog
ram

<!--{{Commons|Prunus avium}}
{{Commons|Prunus cerasifera}}
{{Commons|Prunus cerasus}}
{{Commons|Prunus dulcis}}
{{Commons|Prunus mahaleb}}
{{Commons|Prunus mume}}
{{Commons|Prunus persica}}
{{Commons|Prunus spinosa}}
{{Commons|Prunus serrulata}}
{{Commons|Prunus tenella}}
{{Commons|Prunus tomentosa}}
{{Commons|Prunus virginiana}}-->

[[Category:Prunus]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
7,617

edits