Prunus davidiana
| Prunus davidiana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 30' |
| Width: | 30' |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus davidiana (common name: chinese wild peach)
Propagation: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[3][1].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[1].
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[3][1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[4]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3][1].
There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[1].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[5].
Plants flower very early in the year and the flowers are often damaged by late frosts[6].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Forests, thickets, slopes, mountain valleys and waste fields at elevations of 800 - 3200 metres[7].
Edibility: The seed is used in China as a flavouring in confectionery and some special dishes. They are somewhat bitter due to the presence of prussic acid so should be used in strict moderation[8][9].
Fruit[9]. The fruit is about 3cm in diameter and contains one large seed[1].
Medicinal: The seed is analgesic, antiasthmatic, anticoagulant, antitussive, aperient, emollient and haemolytic[10]. It s used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, traumatic pain due to blood stasis, constipation of aged and debilitated patients, coughs and asthma[10].
The seed contains amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[5].
Usage: Used as a disease-resistant low-chill rootstock for the cultivated peach, Prunus persica[9].
A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[11].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and
Also Known As: Amygdalus davidiana. (Carr.)Nash. Persica davidiana.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.