The apricot tree, scientifically known as Prunus armeniaca, is a deciduous species belonging to the Prunus genus, which also includes plums and peaches. Originating from Central Asia, this tree is valued globally for its early blooms and stone fruit. Understanding its structure, foliage, flowers, and fruit allows for accurate identification across different seasons.
The Tree’s Overall Structure and Bark
The apricot tree is typically a small to medium-sized tree, generally reaching a height between 3 and 10 meters when mature. It develops a rounded crown and a naturally open, spreading canopy. The trunk is erect, supporting branches that can become somewhat twisted with age.
The bark of the main stem and older branches varies in color, often presenting as grayish-brown or tan. This mature bark develops intersecting fissures and a rough texture. The bark on the thinner branches appears different from the trunk, sometimes showing prominent lenticels.
Younger branches, in contrast, may display a smoother, reddish hue before maturing. This woody structure is naturally inclined to a broad form, which is why they are often pruned to an open-vase shape in cultivation. The tree’s relatively moderate size makes it a popular choice for home orchards.
Identifying Features of the Leaves
Apricot foliage is deciduous, meaning the leaves drop in the autumn. The leaves are generally ovate, or nearly heart-shaped, with a pointed apex and a rounded base. They are arranged alternately along the branches.
The margins of the leaf blades are finely serrated, displaying small teeth along the edges. In size, the leaves typically measure between 5 and 9 centimeters long and are held erect on the twigs. Their color is usually a bright, glossy medium-green on the upper surface.
Tiny nectar glands may be visible on the petiole, which is the small stem connecting the leaf blade to the branch. The underside of the leaf is often a slightly paler yellowish-green.
The Appearance of Flowers and Fruit
The apricot tree is one of the first fruit trees to display blossoms, often flowering in early spring before the leaves emerge. These flowers are typically fragrant, appearing either singly or in pairs on very short stems. Each blossom has five petals and measures around 2 to 4.5 centimeters in diameter.
The buds are often pink, opening into a bloom that ranges from pure white to a blush-pink hue. Because the flowers appear so early, they are susceptible to damage from late spring frosts.
The fruit is a fleshy stone fruit, botanically termed a drupe, which ripens in early to mid-summer. Apricots are round and small, typically ranging from 1.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter. The skin color ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange, sometimes developing a red blush on the side exposed to the sun.
A defining feature of the fruit is its surface texture, which is either velvety with very short hairs (pubescent) or nearly smooth, depending on the specific variety. The firm flesh surrounds a single, large, flat pit, or stone.
How Apricot Trees Differ From Peach and Plum
Distinguishing the apricot tree from its close relatives, the peach and the plum, often relies on subtle differences in their features. A primary distinction lies in the fruit’s surface texture. The apricot fruit has skin that is slightly velvety or pubescent, but it is significantly less fuzzy than the noticeably downy skin of a mature peach. Plums, in contrast, have a completely smooth, waxy skin.
Apricot leaves are distinctly broad and ovate with a serrated margin, unlike the characteristically long and narrow leaves of the peach tree. The stone inside the fruit also provides a clue; the apricot’s pit is generally flatter and relatively smoother, while the peach pit is typically rougher and more deeply indented. Furthermore, the apricot tree is often one of the first of the Prunus genus to flower in the spring, preceding the bloom of many peach and plum varieties.