Common Name:

General Information

Prunus scoparia is a deciduous shrub or a small tree, usually growing around 3 metres tall but sometimes reaching 6 metres. The plant produces suckers and can form small thickets[, ]. It becomes leafless in the hot, dry season and, as in many plants of arid regions, its green stems have to a large extent taken over the function of photosynthesis[].
Originally cultivated as an ornamental shrub, attempts to graft the cultivated almond (Prunus dulcis) on to it proved successful - making this species, with its high resistance to drought, of definite economic interest as a rootstock in semi-arid areas[]..

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

Range

W. Asia - Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan

Habitat

Stony mountain slopes and exposed bedrocks in lower mountain zones; at elevations from 600 - 900 metres[]. Sometimes forming small thickets

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prunus scoparia is a plant of semi-arid regions in western Asia. A xerophytic shrub, adapted to the hottest and driest sites in semideserts[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[, ]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[]. This species suckers freely in the wild, forming quite large thickets[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The fruit is sparsely hairy-lanate, obliquely oblong-ovate, asymmetrical, more curved on one side than the other, 16 - 20mm long, 10 - 12mm wide[]. We have no more information on the fruit, but its flesh is likely to be hard and dry like the almond (Prunus dulcis)[].

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

Medicinal

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[].

Other Uses

In Turkmenia the plant is locally cultivated as drought resistant rootstock for almonds, effecting early maturity of the fruits[].

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.