Practical
Plants

Prunus persica

Nectarine

commonly named Nectarine is a perennial woody deciduousvariety of the [[{{{variety of}}}|{{{variety of}}}]].

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Prunus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The seed can contain high levels of hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. Usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm, any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten[22]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[1][9][17][19]. The fruit is often used in ice creams, pies, jams etc[6]. When fully ripe, the fruits of the best forms are soft and juicy with a rich delicious flavour[K]. The size of fruit varies between cultivars but can be up to 7cm in diameter and contains one large seed[11]. Flowers - raw or cooked. Added to salads or used as a garnish[6]. They can also be brewed into a tea[6]. The distilled flowers yield a white liquid which can be used to impart a flavour resembling the seed[6]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat if it is too bitter, seed can contain high concentrations of hydrocyanic acid. See the notes above on toxicity. A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[20]. Although the report does not mention edibility it can be assumed that it is edible. A gum is obtained from the stem. It can be used for chewing[21].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Antihalitosis[8]. The leaves are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, parasiticide and mildly sedative[13][14]. They are used internally in the treatment of gastritis, whooping cough, coughs and bronchitis[16]. They also help to relieve vomiting and morning sickness during pregnancy, though the dose must be carefully monitored because of their diuretic action[13]. The dried and powdered leaves have sometimes been used to help heal sores and wounds[13]. The leaves are harvested in June and July then dried for later use[18]. The flowers are diuretic, sedative and vermifuge[18][13][5][8][14]. They are used internally in the treatment of constipation and oedema[16]. A gum from the stems is alterative, astringent, demulcent and sedative[18][13][5][8][14]. The seed is antiasthmatic, antitussive, emollient, haemolytic, laxative and sedative[18][13][5][8][14]. It is used internally in the treatment of constipation in the elderly, coughs, asthma and menstrual disorders[16]. The bark is demulcent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative[18]. It is used internally in the treatment of gastritis, whooping cough, coughs and bronchitis[16]. The root bark is used in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice[14]. The bark is harvested from young trees in the spring and is dried for later use[18]. The seed contains 'laetrile', a substance that has also been called vitamin B17[14]. This has been claimed to have a positive effect in the treatment of cancer, but there does not at present seem to be much evidence to support this[K]. The pure substance is almost harmless, but on hydrolysis it yields hydrocyanic acid, a very rapidly acting poison - it should thus be treated with caution[14]. In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[16].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Haemolytic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[4]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[4]. A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[20]. It is used as a substitute for almond oil in skin creams[16]. The bruised leaves, when rubbed within any container, will remove strong odours such as garlic or cloves so long as any grease has first been fully cleaned off[18]. A gum obtained from the stem is used as an adhesive[21].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation, it is possibly derived in cultivation from P. davidiana.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[11]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[11]. The stored seed is best given 2 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification[3]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[3]. 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[2][11]. A very low percentage[3]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[11]. Layering in spring.

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[1][2]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[2]. Best not grown in acid soils. Prefers some chalk in the soil but it is apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7[11]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position[2]. Requires shelter from north and north-east winds[2] and also from spring frosts[11]. Widely cultivated for its edible fruit in warm temperate areas and continental climates, this is a form of the peach with a smooth skin. There are some named varieties[6]. There are numerous divisions of the varieties according to skin colour etc. Perhaps the most useful from the eaters point of view is whether it is free-stone (the flesh parts easily from the seed) or cling-stone (the flesh adheres to the seed)[200, K]. Trees are normally hardy in southern Britain[2], tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[7], but they require some protection if cropping is to be at all reliable[2]. This is not due so much to lack of cold hardiness, more to the cooler summers in Britain which do not fully ripen the wood and the fruit, plus the unpredictable winters and springs which, in a mild spell, can excite the tree into premature flowering and growth which is then very liable to damage in any following cold spell. Hand pollination at this time can improve fruit-set[11]. In general it is best to site nectarines in a very warm sheltered sunny position, preferably against a south or west facing wall[11][15], though some success is occasionally seen with plants grown fully in the open[K]. Most cultivars are self-fertile[11]. Trees are often grafted onto plum or other rootstocks but are said to be better when grown on their own roots in southern Britain[2]. Trees are not generally long-lived[11], this is partly because of the need for the tree to produce a constant supply of new wood since most fruit is formed on one-year old wood (though some fruit spurs are formed)[11]. Garlic is a good companion for this plant, helping to prevent disease, especially peach leaf curl[10][12]. Tansy grown below peach trees helps to keep them healthier[12]. Peach leaf curl can also be prevented by protecting the plants from winter and early spring rains, perhaps by covering them in plastic[11]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[16]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  8. Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14

  12. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  15. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  16. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  17. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

    ↩

  18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  19. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  20. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2

  21. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩1↩2

  22. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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