4o6 



BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



growth, they will be found along the central portion of the 

 twig; while on feeble-growing branches, they usually occur 

 singly, and are quite evenly distributed along the entire 



length. However, not all 

 the flower buds are formed 

 on the long shoots. Many 

 are developed on ex- 

 tremely ' short spurs, but 

 always axillary; usually 

 the flower buds are single 

 in such short growths. 



Leaves. — These are usu- 

 ally ovate, often somewhat 

 heart-shaped at the base, 

 abruptly short-acuminate, 

 smooth above, sHghtly 

 hairy ^beneath, finely 

 toothed, on glandular 

 petioles, and convolute in 

 vernation. 



Inflorescence and 

 Flowers. — The flowers are 

 soHtary or in pairs, pink- 

 ish, sessile or nearly so. 

 Morphologically, the 

 flowers are similar to those 

 of plum, cherry and other 

 Prunus spp. 



Fruit. — This is much 

 like a peach in color and shape; the skin is velvety at first, 

 but becomes smooth at maturity; the flesh is always 

 yellow. The stone (endocarp and seed) is flat, smooth, and 

 grooved on one edge. In the maturing of the fruit, the 



Fig. 169. — Twigs of- apricot (Prunus 

 armeniaca). (After Paddock and 

 Whipple.) 



