Manchurian apricot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manchurian apricot |
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Prunus
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mandshurica
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The Prunus mandshurica, also known as the Manchurian apricot or scout apricot, is a type of tree in the Prunus family. This family also includes other well-known trees like peaches, plums, and cherries.
This apricot tree was first officially described by a scientist named Karl Maximovich in 1883. He first thought it was a type of Siberian apricot. The Manchurian apricot is very good at handling cold weather. It naturally grows in places like northeast China, Korea, and a region called Manchuria. However, it can easily get a plant disease called plum pox, which is caused by a virus.
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What it Looks Like
The Manchurian apricot is a deciduous tree, meaning it loses its leaves every autumn. It's also a broad-leaved tree, which means its leaves are wide, not needle-like. This tree can grow quite tall, reaching about 10 meters (around 33 feet) high.
The tree has interesting bark: its inner bark is red, while the outer bark is black. Its leaves are shaped like ovals and have a pointed tip. They might have a few hairs and their edges are serrated, like a saw. For the best growth, this tree prefers rich, fertile soils, often called loam.
Flowers and Fruit
In the spring, the Manchurian apricot tree bursts into bloom with beautiful white or pale pink flowers. These flowers have oval-shaped sepals and petals. The stamens (the parts that produce pollen) are about the same length as the stigma (the part that receives pollen), which is shaped like a cup.
Later in the summer, the tree produces its fruits. These apricots are yellow with some red coloring. When autumn arrives, the leaves put on a show, turning a lovely golden orange color before they fall off.
How People Use It
The seeds of the Manchurian apricot contain oil that has been studied for many uses. Scientists have looked into using this oil to make biodiesel, which is a type of fuel made from plants. While the seeds of a similar tree, Prunus sibirica, have less oil, they also show promise for making biodiesel.
Beyond fuel, the oil from Manchurian apricot seeds is used in other products too. You might find it in cosmetics, soap, and special creams for cold weather. It's also a source of a substance called phloretin, which can help fight germs. In traditional Chinese medicine, people believe that the dried kernels (the inside part of the seed) can help treat problems like asthma and constipation.
Different Types
There are different types of Manchurian apricot trees, which are called cultivars. Some well-known cultivars include 'Mandan' and two hybrid types called 'Moongold' and 'Sungold'. There's also a variety known as var. glabra.
Names Around the World
In China, this tree is known by a couple of names. It's called the northeastern apricot (Chinese: 东北杏) or the Liaoning apricot (Chinese: 辽杏). Both of these names refer to the region of Manchuria where the tree grows. In Korean, it is known as the gaesalgu tree (개살구나무).
