


ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 15 
Sticktights. Almonds in which the hull opens only partially and sticks to the 
nut when ripe. 
Stippled. Having very small, shallow, round, dotlike depressions and small 
bumps occurring on the shell of the nut between the pits, giving the surface 
a rough appearance. (Characteristic of some varieties. ) 
Stipules. Used here to mean small appendages of the leaf borne on the petiole 
or sometimes on the base of the blade. 
Stocky. Large in diameter in proportion to length. 
Suture. The line or seam of union of two adjacent parts grown together. 
(Figs. 9 and 10.) Used with reference to the shell and hull. 
Suture crease. <A longitudinal depression or groove having the suture along its 
bottom. (Fig. 9.) 
Suture depression. A longitudinal depression or groove having the suture at 
its bottom. (Fig. 9.) 
Suture line. The line visible on the surface formed by the union of two adja- 
cent parts. Used with reference to the nut and hull. In reference to the 
hull the term “suture line” is used before dehiscence starts and “ suture” 
is used after dehiscence begins. 
Symmetrical. With halves equal. When the sides of the nut curve equally 
they are said to be symmetrical, and when they curve unequally they are 
said to be unsymmetrical. With reference to the leaves, the term “ symmetri- 
cal” is used when the margins at the base of the blade join the petiole at 
opposite points, making the halves of the blade on each side of the midrib 
equal. (See base of leaf blade in Pl. XXVI, A.) When the margins do not 
join the petiole at opposite points the term ‘“ unsymmetrical” is used. (See 
base of middle leaves in Pls. XXI and XXIII and base of leaves to the 
left of the letters A and B in Pl. XXII.) 
Tapering. Narrowing regularly to a point. Wedged-shaped. (See apexes of 
leaves in Pl. XX, B.) 
Truncate. Having the end square as if cut off. (See apex of the three leaves 
on left side of Pl. XVIII and base and apex of nut in PI. I, A.) 
Trunk. The main stem of the tree between the branching portion and the 
roots. 
Twigs. Here applied to the small branches of the current season’s growth. 
Unsymmetrical. Not symmetrical. See Symmetrical. 
Undulating. Wavy. 
Veins. Small vascular bundles forming part of the framework of a leaf. Veins 
differ in the almond as to arrangement, elevation, and manner of branching. 
(Fig. @ g-.) 
Ventraledge. The flanged or winged edge of the nut. Also applied to the edge 
of the kernel or hull nearest the winged edge of the shell. (Fig. 5 (7).) 
Ventral streak. The yellowish or brownish streak or patch on the inside of 
the shell on the ventral edge. 
Ventrally oblique. Sloping ventrally. 
Wide angled. Applied here to angles over 45°. 
Wing. The thin or narrow portion of the shell projecting from the ventral edge 
of the nut. (Fig. 5 (2).) 
KEY TO ALMOND VARIETIES BASED UPON THE CHARACTER- 
ISTICS OF THE NUT 
It is hoped that the following key, based on the characteristics of 
the nut, will be found helpful in the identification of almond varie- 
ties. When a variety has been traced in the key to a particular 
number, the complete description of the variety so numbered should 
be read carefully, and the illustrations of the variety should be con- 
sulted. In order to make the key as simple as possible, the divisions 
include only a few characteristics of the nut and only those which 
have been found to be quite constant. Other characteristics which 
distinguish the varieties are given under the descriptions. There- 
fore, when a variety is traced down in the key and is found to cor- 
respond with the description in all respects it may be concluded with 
reasonable certainty that the variety has been identified. Where very 


