Prunus orientalis
(Miller) Koehne
Aci badem
(c) MRN, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) MRN, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Ibrahim Hirory, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The shrub's fruit can be used to obtain a dark grey to green dye, and a green dye can be obtained from its leaves. Plants in the Prunus species contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to produce hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless, extremely poisonous chemical that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. These substances are found mainly in the leaves and seed and can be detected by the bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. Consumption of small quantities of hydrogen cyanide stimulates respiration and improves digestion. Excessive consumption of the toxin can cause respiratory failure and death.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It will grow on most soils. It is best in open sunny positions. It is resistant to drought and frost.
Australia, Kurdistan, Mediterranean, Turkey, Türkiye,
How to Identify
A shrub that loses its leaves. It grows 3 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stems are erect and branching. The leaves are narrowly oval and silvery. They are densely hairy. The flowers are pink and open. They have 5 petals. They are in small clusters 2.5 cm across. The fruit are downy berries.
How to Grow
Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.
Names & Synonyms
Behiva esk, Payam
References (6)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 77 (As Amygdalus orientalis)
- Demir, I. & Ayaz, N., 2022, Wild edible plants contributing to the traditional foods of Mardin (Turkey) Province. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 21(3), July 2022, pp 569-582 (As Amygdalus orientalis)
- Ertug, F., 2000, An Ethnobotanical Study in Central Anatolia (Turkey). Economic Botany Vol. 54. No. 2. pp. 155-182 (As Amygdalus orientalis)
- Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement (As Amygdalus orientalis)
- Rivera, D. et al, 2006, Gathered Mediterranean Food Plants - Ethnobotanical Investigations and Historical Development, in Heinrich M, Müller WE, Galli C (eds): Local Mediterranean Food Plants and Nutraceuticals. Forum Nutr. Basel, Karger, 2006, vol 59, pp 18–74 (As Amygdalus orientalis)
- Yesil, Y., et al, 2019, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Hasankeyf (Batman Province, Turkey). Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 88(3):3633 (As Amygdalus orientalis)
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