Amygdalus persica L.
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Authority
Popenoe, Wilson. 1924. Economic fruit-bearing plants of Ecuador. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 24: i-ix, 101-134. pl. 34-49.
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Family
Rosaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - [No description provided. See notes in Discussion section.]
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Discussion
Since about 40 years ago. grafting lias been practiced at Ambato. The forms now cultivated in that region, according to Professor Pachano, may be classified as follows: Duraznos (true peaches): 1. Duraznos (clingstones); white-fleshed (termed "de leche"), yellow-fleshed, and red-fleshed (termed "sanguineos"). 2. Abridores (freestones): white-fleshed, yellow-fleshed, and reddish-fleshed. Peladillos (nectarines): 1. Clingstones (peladillos). 2. Freestones (nectarines). The clingstone duraznos of Ambato are sometimes of good size, attaining 7.5 cm. in length. As a general rule they have rather hard flesh, and are better for cooking or preserving than for eating out of hand. For the latter purpose some of the small white freestones are excellent. These are commonly from 5 to 6.5 cm. in length, with milk white flesh of delicate texture and aromatic flavor. Since peaches are commonly propagated by seed at Ambato ( as well as elsewhere in Ecuador), there are practically as many varieties as there are trees. An occasional one is good enough to merit vegetative propagation. The clingstone forms are the commonest in all parts of the country. At Ibarra and elsewhere in northern Ecuador freestones are practically unknown. The same is true of Loja Province. Some of the seedlings grown near Gualaceo, in the Azuay, are of excellent quality. Luis Cordero says of the peach in Azuay and Cañar, "It is profusely cultivated in all our regions of moderate temperature, since its fruit is among the most highly appreciated in the markets. We possess several varieties, the best being the prisco and the abridores." While the cultivation of the peach, like that of most other fruits, has not yet received scientific study in Ecuador (with the exception of a few instances), there is no doubt that it is capable of forming the basis of a considerable and profitable industry. Besides large areas of land suitable for the production of good peaches, Ecuador possesses good seedling varieties, especially valuable because better adapted to the peculiarities of the climate than are forms introduced from abroad. It would not be difficult to search out some of those seedlings and establish them, by means of vegetative propagation, as named varieties. This will have to be done, and more care will have to be given to marketing the fruit than at present, before peach culture in Ecuador will be put upon a really profitable basis.
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Common Names
durazno, guaytambo, melocotón , abridor, prisco, peach