Prunus persica proo’-nus pur’-si-ka)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose

Key Steps

• 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
  • 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
    • 19b – Thornless — go to 22
      • 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
        • 31c – Leaf is long and narrow (3-4 times longer than wide) — go to 37
          • 37b – More than one bud scale — go to 39
            • 39b – Stem reddish above, greenish beneath. No catkins — Peach

Description

Leaf: Long, narrow, very finely toothed. 3-6 inches long. Broadest at or slightly above the middle. Pointed tip. Shiny above. Paler and smooth below. May have glands on petiole. May have stipules.

Bud: Hairy, not sticky. Several bud scales. True terminal bud absent.

Stem: Smooth. Reddish above, greenish and grainy beneath. Stipule scars.

Bark: Dark reddish-brown, scaly.

Flower: Pink, 1 to 1 1/2 inches across, before leaves appear. Solitary on wood of previous year.

Fruit: Fleshy, hairy, 3 inch diameter, yellowish-red. Hard or bony stone. Each stone encloses a seed grooved on one side.

Habit: Spreading, low, broad crown.

Culture: Moderate moisture requirement. Full sun.

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection