Prunus bucharica facts for kids

Prunus bucharica is a type of wild almond tree. It grows naturally in countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. You can often find it in mountains, about 1,000 to 1,800 meters (3,280 to 5,900 feet) above sea level.

For a long time, people thought this plant was one of the ancestors of the common almond we eat today (Prunus dulcis). But scientists used special tests on its DNA. They found out that Prunus bucharica is not actually related to the common almond. Instead, the closest relative and likely ancestor of the common almond is another plant called Prunus fenzliana.

What the Buchara Almond Looks Like

The Prunus bucharica plant can be a tall bush or a small tree. It usually grows between 1.5 and 7 meters (5 to 23 feet) tall.

This plant is special because of its leaves and its fruit. Its leaves are broadly ovate, which means they are shaped like an egg, wider at the bottom. Also, the Prunus bucharica has a very smooth endocarp. The endocarp is the hard, inner layer of the fruit that surrounds the seed, like the shell of an almond. This smooth shell makes it different from other almond types.