Prunus tangutica facts for kids

Prunus tangutica is a type of wild peach plant. It is native to China. People sometimes call it the Xikang or Tanggute flat peach.

For a long time, scientists thought this plant was a wild almond. This was because of how its fruit looked. But new studies, looking at its genes and how it grows, showed something different. Prunus tangutica is actually more closely related to Prunus persica, which is the common peach we eat. Its closest plant cousin is Prunus mongolica.

About Prunus tangutica

This plant is usually a very dense, spiny shrub or a small tree. It typically grows about 1 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 4 meters (13 feet) in height.

Where it Grows

Prunus tangutica likes to grow in sunny spots. You can often find it along the sides of streams. It prefers to live in mountains. It grows at elevations from 1500 to 2600 meters (about 4,900 to 8,500 feet). It has even been found as high as 3400 meters (about 11,100 feet).

Its Flowers and Fruits

The flowers of Prunus tangutica have pale pink petals. Its fruit feels velvety, which scientists call "velutinous." When the fruit is not ripe, it is green. As it ripens, it turns a purplish-red color.

An interesting thing about its fruit is that the fleshy outside part, called the mesocarp, splits open when it's ripe. This unique feature made scientists think it was an almond for over 100 years. However, in 1935, two scientists, Kovalev and Kostina, suggested it was a type of peach. Modern studies have confirmed their idea.