Almond

Prunus dulcis, the almond, is a small deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae native to the dry, mountainous regions of central and southwestern Asia, from the Levant through Iran into central Asia, and cultivated worldwide for its edible seed. Trees typically grow 4–10 m tall with a spreading crown, smooth grey-brown bark on young trunks that becomes furrowed with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 7–13 cm long, with finely serrate margins and a short petiole bearing small nectar glands. Conspicuous five-petalled flowers, 3–5 cm across and pale pink to white, are borne singly or in pairs on short spurs before the leaves emerge in late winter to early spring. The fruit is a velvety greenish drupe 3–6 cm long; unlike most Prunus, the leathery, fibrous mesocarp splits at maturity to release a pitted woody endocarp containing the familiar oily seed. Sweet and bitter forms differ in amygdalin content of the kernel.