Prunus armeniaca (proo’-nus ar-men-e-a’-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
        • 31b – Leaf is round or heart-shaped — go to 35
          • 35a – Petiole is round — go to 36
            • 36b – Leaf margin is very finely serrate all around. Leaf is 3 inches long — Apricot

Description

Leaf: Broad, round, 2-4 inches long, closely toothed, short pointed tip. 1 inch petiole. Medium green. Numerous glands may be on the top of petiole. Petiole may be reddish.

Bud: Dark, hairy or scale margins. True terminal bud absent.

Stem: Thornless, Reddish bark.

Flower: Pink to white, single, before leaves.

Fruit: Round, hairy, smooth seed, 1 to 1 1/2 inch diameter.

Habit: Small to medium sized tree. Broad canopy. To 15-25 feet tall. Branches low to ground. Dense.

Culture: Full sun, well-drained soils, good soil moisture. Seldom fruits in Colorado because early flowers are hit by frost.

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