The taxonomic history of Prunus is long and complicated, in part due to the economic value of its fruit crops and also the ease with which some species hybridize. Here, Prunus is circumscribed in its broad sense based on the argument that when viewed on a worldwide scale, the morphologic discontinuities among the segregate genera diminish and they overlap with one another. Included here are species that have at times been placed in the genera Amygdalus, Armeniaca, Cerasus, Laurocerasus, Padus, and Persica.
At the species level, Prunus has been the object of the usual combining and splitting common among taxonomists with different philosophies and opinions. In particular, over-reliance on the indument of various vegetative and floral parts has led to the naming of numerous species and infraspecific taxa. Similarly, too much has been made of fruit colour and palatability in naming taxa of Prunus. It is very likely that, as molecular and genetic data are analyzed and, more importantly, correlated with morphological data, circumscriptions will be redrawn and the number of Prunus species will be reduced[].

Common Name: Desert Peach

General Information

Prunus andersonii is a much-branched, spiny, deciduous shrub usually growing 100 - 200cm tall, sometimes reaching 300cm[]. The plant produces suckers and often develops into large clonal thickets that can cover a hectare or more[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Although the distribution of Prunus andersonii is restricted to California and Nevada in the United States of America, it occurs in a number of habitats across the region and its population is thought to be secure. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The plant (especially the seed and young shoots) contains cyanogenic glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being[]. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted.
In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death[].
The fruits and flowers of most members of this genus generally have low or very low concentrations of this toxin, though the seeds and young shoots can contain much higher levels.
The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- for example sweet tasting almond seeds are a major food crop and are often eaten in quantity, whilst bitter tasting almond seeds are used as a flavouring (in marzipan for example) but are not usually eaten on their own.
In general, it can be considered safe to eat any fruit or seed from species in this genus that either have a sweet flavour or are slightly bitter. Great caution should be taken, however, if the flavour is moderately to very bitter[].

Botanical References

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Range

Western N. America - Nevada, California.

Habitat

Dry rocky slopes, washes, canyons, sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands; at elevations from 900 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prunus andersonii is found in regions with continental, semiarid to arid climates where the summers are typically dry and the winters cold and either dry or wet. Mean annual precipitation can vary from 150 - 400mm[].. Over a 33-year study period temperature extremes ranged from a minimum of -40 °c to a maximum of 42 °c)[].
Requires a sunny position. Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[, ]. The plant is commonly found on well-drained, poorly-developed, granitic soils in the wild, also tolerating slightly saline or alkaline, coarse-textured soils[]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[].
The plant is very tolerant of fire - top growth is usually killed, but the plant resprouts freely from the base[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Considered to be a great delicacy[]. The flesh is leathery to dry[]. The greenish yellow to red-orange, globose to asymmetrically obovoid fruit is 10 - 18mm in diameter[].

Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

A decoction of the stems, leaves or roots has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

A weak decoction of the bark has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[]. A decoction of the dried bark strips has been used as a winter tonic to ward off influenza[].

A hot infusion of the branches or the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds[].

All members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). Exceedingly poisonous in larger quantities, in small amounts this compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is effective in revegetation or rehabilitation projects on disturbed sites within its range. In a review of species potential in revegetating disturbed Intermountain sites, desert peach establishment from transplants, soil stabilization characteristics, and disturbance adaptations were rated as "very good". Growth rate was considered "good", while establishment from seed and spread through asexual or sexual means were rated as "medium". Desert peach was recommended for use in desert shrublands, mountain brush, pinyon-juniper, and chaparral vegetation[].
Desert peach survival was high in revegetation projects in California and Nevada. After 3 years, desert peach survival was 73% on slope cuts along a highway in Mono County, California[].

Other Uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[].

The plant is a tertiary genetic relative of the Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina), the Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and the Myrobalan Plum (Prunus cerasifera). It has potential for use in breeding programmes[].

The plant has been used as a rootstock for the Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina)[].

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[].
Layering in spring.