Prunus persica var. nucipersica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus PER-se-kuh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Nectarines produce juicy, sweet and smooth fruit. Good for eating fresh or using in your recipes. They are low in calories and provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The mature size of the tree depends on the version that you choose, standard or semi-dwarf.
Height: 12- 15 ft. or 8-10 ft. Width: 15 ft. or 8-10 ft.
Site: Good air flow to assist thermal environment for the tree.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- persica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- Nectarine has a smooth skin, the flesh can be either yellow or white with delicate aroma, and clingstone or freestone. Usually, nectarines are a little bit smaller but sweeter than peaches, the skin is more reddish.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Fruit Description:
- Nectarine has a smooth skin, the flesh can be either yellow or white with delicate aroma, and clingstone or freestone. Usually, nectarines are a little bit smaller but sweeter than peaches, the skin is more reddish.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The five-petal, solid or paired pink flowers bloom early in spring, before leaf sprouts.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are lanceolate shaped, 3-6 inches in length and 0.8-1.2 inches broad. Pinnately veined.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie. Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- cyanide
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
