Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

Deciduous, small and spreading tree with rather open habit, up to 4–(6) m high when mature, not armed; trunk usually short. Lf petiole (3)–4–(10) mm long, glabrous; blade ± thin, lanceolate to narrow-elliptic, (50)–70–150–(170) × 12–40–(50) mm, short-acuminate, ± attenuate at base, glabrous or with a few scattered hairs above and below, serrulate to obscurely 2-serrate with ± cuspidate teeth, often undulate; stipules narrow-triangular, deciduous. Fls usually solitary, occasionally paired, not fragrant, on short lateral shoots; pedicel very short, glabrous. Hypanthium very broad; sepals oblong, 3–4 mm long, obtuse, tomentose, greenish purple, erect but finally spreading. Petals 5, erect to spreading, orbicular to broadly oblong, 12–16 × 8–10 mm, very shallowly emarginate, pale pink. Stamens slightly < or = petals; filaments pinkish. Fr. (35)–50–80 mm long, globose, sulcate, tomentose, greenish yellow to red, often much more deeply coloured on side exposed to sun, succulent and sweet; stone deeply pitted and furrowed.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Aug.–Oct.