Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus, Amygdalus communis

Small to medium sized tree with a spreading, open canopy, usually 10-15 feet in commercial orchards. Leaves are linear or slightly ovate, about 3-4 times longer than wide, with acute tips and finely serrate margins. Leaves are 3-5 inches in length, slightly smaller and less folded along the midrib than those of its close relative the peach.

Almonds produce best on deep, loamy, well-drained soils, but will tolerate poor soils, and even drought during the latter portion of fruit development better than most tree crops. In intensive orchards, soils are managed similar to other stone fruits, but less-intensive plantings of the Mediterranean area occur on calcareous, rocky, and droughty soils. Like all Prunus species, almonds are intolerant of wet, poorly drained soil.

Almonds are the most widely-used nut for confectionery items like candy bars, cakes, toppings, etc. Much of the crop is roasted and flavored or salted and sold in cans; broken and small kernels go to confectionery.

Similar plants:

• Prunus armeniaca, Amygdalus armeniaca (Apricot)
• Prunus persica, Amygdalus persica (Peach)
• Prunus webbii, Amygdalus webbii (Wild Almond tree )
• Prunus avium (Wild Cherry, Sweet Cherry)
• Prunus campanulata (Taiwan Cherry, Formosan Cherry)
• Prunus cerasifera, Prunus divaricata (Cherry Plum, Myrobalan Plum, St. Lukes Flowering Plum)
• Prunus cerasoides (Himalayan flowering cherry)
• Prunus glandulosa, Prunus japonica, Cerasus glandulosa (Chinese Bush Cherry, Chinese Plum, Korean Cherry, Dwarf Flowering Almond)
• Prunus ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry, Evergreen Cherry)
• Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel)