ID: Prunus species or else?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by AlainK, Feb 1, 2022.

  1. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    From a distance I thought this tree was flowering but the yellow dots were actually fruit. I wondered if it wasn't an apple species (the fruit made me think of Malus 'Van eseltine'). I picked a couple that I found on the ground and removed the flesh on one. It has a single bone, so definitely not an apple. Any idea what it could be? I didn't spot any sign of a graft, but maybe it is grafted...

    IMG_9492-a.jpg IMG_9492-b.jpg IMG_9511.JPG
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    The middle shot still isn't a close enough view to show details of twigs and buds.
     
  3. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Flowers being one of the best keys to identification, I'll go back in a few weeks time.
     
  4. Tyrlych

    Tyrlych Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    The fruit reminds Melia.
     
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  5. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Last edited: Feb 1, 2022
  6. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    I'm afraid it isn't. On Wikipedia (En.), the photo of birds eating the fruit made me think it could well be, but on the French version, there's a photo of the seed, which is quite unusual: it has a hole in the middle!
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...pg/800px-Trou_dans_le_fruit_du_margousier.jpg
    But thank you for taking the time to post a reply, and making me discover a species I had never heard before.
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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  8. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Thanks for the link, Ron.
    I did an image search with the Chinese name from your link, and actually that looks a lot like it.
     
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  9. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    @Tyrlych, @Silver surfer and @Ron B,

    Thanks again you all, I think you've got it right. I removed the flesh on the last fruit I collected and it does look exactly like a seed from Melia azedarash.

    Melia.jpg Melia-b.jpg

    I'm waiting now for the fragrance and the beauty of the flowers in the Spring...
     
  10. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Well done @Tyrlych.
    I have only seen this super tree in hot tropical countries.
    Never imagined it would be found near Orleans France.

    AlainK do add pics to show the flowers.
     
  11. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    I should, I must, I will !...

    Apparently, it can survive where temps don't get below -15°C when in the ground :

    "Bien qu'originaire de régions chaudes, il peut être planté jusqu'en zone USDA 8. Les sujets bien lignifiés même jeunes peuvent résister au froid humide jusqu'à -15 °C. Comme référence, on peut citer les exemplaires plantés à la faculté de pharmacie d'Angers, au jardin botanique de Strasbourg, au jardin Lecoq à Clermont-Ferrand" (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melia_azedarach)

    "Although native to warm regions, it can be planted up to USDA zone 8. Even young, well-lignified plants can withstand damp cold down to -15°C. As a reference, we can cite the specimens planted at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Angers, the botanical garden of Strasbourg, the Lecoq garden in Clermont-Ferrand"

    Here in the Orléans area, when temperatures go below 10°C, that's an exceptional winter. So far, I think that the lowest temperatures we've had were around -5°C and didn't last for 2 or 3 nights.
     
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  12. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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