Tropical Plant "Sweet almond"
Prunus dulcis

Characteristics - The sweet almond is an exotic fruit bearer, native to western Asia; it was taken from there, to be cultivated in Greece, three thousand years ago. Recently introduced in Brazil, it is being experimentally cultivated, in the high altitude regions of the south, with good results. It is a deciduous tree, similar to the peach, 5-7 m tall. Leaves chartaceous, glabrous, 5-11 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, cauliferous, androgynous, however, auto incompatible (needing other cultivars as pollinators, to produce); they form in July-August. Fruits are velutinous, with a dehiscent, carnose pulp that surrounds the very hard endocarp (pit) that covers the edible (nut) seed (van dulcis); they mature in late summer.

Uses - The nuts are consumed in natura, green or dried and in baking.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.