Prunus lycioides facts for kids

Prunus lycioides is a type of wild almond plant. It grows naturally in countries like Turkey, northern Syria, and Iran. People in Iran sometimes call it Tangarus (Persian: تنگرس).

About the Wild Almond Plant

This plant is a very spiky and thick bush. It usually grows to be about 0.6 to 1.2 meters tall. That's roughly the height of a small person or a tall dog!

What it Looks Like

The bark of the Prunus lycioides plant is gray. When it blooms, its flowers are a beautiful pink color, from light to deep pink. The parts of the flower that hold the petals, called sepals and hypanthia, are deep red to purple.

This wild almond looks a lot like some other almond plants. However, you can tell it apart by its leaves. Its leaves are longer and narrower than similar plants. They can be shaped like a line, a narrow spear, or a narrow spoon. Also, tiny details inside its fruit help tell it apart.

Where it Grows

Prunus lycioides is a very tough plant. It can live in extremely dry places. You can find it growing in many different dry and partly dry areas. It grows at high altitudes, from about 450 to 2200 meters above sea level. This shows how well it can adapt to harsh conditions!