Peach

Peach
Peach flower, fruit, seed and leaves as illustrated by Walter Müller[1]
'Autumn Red' peach, freestone cultivar in cross section
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Prunus
Species:	P. persica
Binomial name
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Synonyms[2]
List Amygdalus communis var. persica (L.) Risso Amygdalus ferganensis (Kostina & Rjabov) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu Amygdalus laevis (DC.) Lej. Amygdalus nucipersica (L.) Rchb. Amygdalus persica L. Persica domestica Risso Persica ferganensis (Kostina & Rjabov) Kovalev & Kostina Persica laevis DC. Persica levis Risso Persica mammillata Poit. & Turpin Persica nana Mill. Persica nucipersica (L.) Borkh. Persica pendula Siebold Persica platycarpa Decne. Persica vulgaris Mill. Prunus daemonifuga H.Lév. & Vaniot

The peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree first domesticated and cultivated in China. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and the glossy-skinned, non-fuzzy varieties called nectarines. Peaches and nectarines are the same species, though they are regarded commercially as different fruits.

The tree is regarded as handsome and is planted in gardens for its springtime blooms in addition to fruit production. The peach tree is relatively short lived, usually not exceeding twenty years of age. However, the peach fruit is regarded as a symbol of longevity in several East Asian cultures.

The specific name persica refers to its widespread cultivation in Persia (modern-day Iran), from where it was transplanted to Europe and in the 16th century to the Americas. It belongs to the genus Prunus, which includes the cherry, apricot, almond, and plum, and which is part of the rose family.

The peach is very popular, only the Apple and Pear are have higher production amounts for temperate fruits. In 2023, China produced 65% of the world total of peaches and nectarines. Other leading countries, such as Spain, Turkey, Italy, the U.S., and Iran lag far behind China with none producing more than 5% of the world total.