Virginia Tech Dendrology

desert apricot Rosaceae Prunus fremontii S. Watson symbol: PRFR
Leaf: Alternate, simple, cordate to nearly round, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, finely crenate, shiny green above and below.
Flower: Small (1/2 to 1 inch across), with 5 white petals, long filaments, yellowish to red centers, occurring in clusters of 1 to 10, appear in early spring with the leaves.
Fruit: Drupe, round to egg-shaped, creased on one side, 1/2 inch across, fuzzy, dry pulp, yellow-green when it ripens in summer.
Twig: Slender, short, shiny reddish brown, most are quite stiff and end in a spine, spurs present, buds small.
Bark: Reddish brown, smooth some short horizontal lenticels, turning grayer with age.
Form: A multi-stemmed, thorny shrub or small tree with a spreading crown, reaches up to 15 feet in height.

Additional Range Information: Prunus fremontii is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information