Desert apricot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert apricot |
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| Flowers in Palm Springs, California | |
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| Natural range of Prunus fremontii | |
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The desert apricot (scientific name: Prunus fremontii) is a special plant found in North America. It belongs to the rose family, just like apples and strawberries! This plant gets its scientific name from John C. Frémont, a famous explorer.
You can find the desert apricot mainly in northern and western Baja California, especially near the Pacific Ocean. It also grows in southern California and northern Baja California Sur. It loves sunny, dry places!
What Does It Look Like?
The desert apricot is a plant that loses its leaves every year. It can be a shrub or a small tree. It usually grows up to five meters (about 16 and a half feet) tall.
Flowers and Fruit
In the spring, beautiful white or pink flowers bloom on the desert apricot. They appear around the same time the new leaves start to grow. After the flowers, the plant produces yellow, egg-shaped fruits. These fruits are quite unique!
A Special Food Source
For many years, the fruits of the desert apricot were an important food. Native American groups, like the Cahuilla people, used these fruits. They were a valuable part of their diet in the desert.
See also
In Spanish: Prunus fremontii para niños
