Armeniaca sibirica (L.) Lam, also known as Siberian apricot or wild apricot, is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family in the Rosales order. It is native to the Yellow River Basin and primarily distributed in regions such as Longdong and Longnan in China. This plant has a wide range of applications and high economic value. It can be used for afforestation on barren mountains, soil conservation, and as an accompanying tree species for sand and wasteland protection. It is also used in traditional medicine and is considered a nourishing tonic. After processing and refining, it is an important raw material for high-quality paint, cosmetics, and premium soap production.

Morphological characteristics:

Armeniaca sibirica is a shrub or small tree that grows 2-5 meters tall. It has dark gray bark and its branches are usually hairless, but when young, they may have scattered short soft hairs in gray-brown or pale reddish-brown color. The leaves are ovate or nearly circular, measuring 5-10 centimeters in length and 4-7 centimeters in width. They have a gradually pointed or acuminate tip and a rounded to nearly cordate base. The leaf margins are finely serrated, and both surfaces are hairless, with occasional short soft hairs in the lower leaf vein axils. The leaf stalks are 2-3.5 centimeters long, hairless, and may or may not have small glands. The flowers are solitary, with a diameter of 1.5-2 centimeters, and they bloom before the leaves emerge. The flower stalks are 1-2 millimeters long. The sepals are purplish-red, with a bell-shaped calyx tube that is sparsely covered with short soft hairs or hairless at the base. The sepals are elongated and elliptic with a pointed tip, and they curl backward after flowering. The petals are nearly circular or inversely ovate, and they can be white or pink. The stamens are usually about the same length as the petals. The ovaries are covered with short soft hairs. The fruit is flattened and spherical, measuring 1.5-2.5 centimeters in diameter. It is yellow or orange-red, sometimes with a reddish blush, and covered with short soft hairs. The flesh is relatively thin and dry, and it splits open when ripe, revealing a sour and astringent taste. The fruit splits along the ventral suture line. The seed is flattened and spherical, easily separating from the flesh. It is flattened on both sides, with a rounded tip and a slightly inclined base on one side, giving it an asymmetric appearance. The surface is relatively smooth, and the ventral side is wide and sharp. The kernel has a bitter taste. The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruiting period is from June to July.

Growth habits:

Armeniaca sibirica has strong adaptability and prefers sunny environments. It has a well-developed root system that extends deep underground. It is characterized by its cold resistance, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in infertile and barren conditions. It can safely withstand temperatures as low as -30℃ to -40℃ during winter. In the dry season of July and August, when the soil moisture content is only 3-5%, the leaves of the plant remain dark green, and its growth continues normally. It grows well on deep loess or alluvial soil but poorly on low-temperature and saline soils. It begins to bear fruit after 4-5 years of planting and enters the peak fruiting period at 10-15 years. It has a long lifespan. Frost or rainy weather during the flowering period can reduce yields, leading to unstable production. It is commonly found on dry, sunny slopes, hilly grasslands, or mixed with deciduous shrubs and trees. It is typically found at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2000 meters.

Geographical distribution:

Armeniaca sibirica is native to China and is found in provinces such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Hebei, and Shanxi. It grows on dry, sunny slopes, hilly grasslands, or mixed with deciduous shrubs and trees at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2000 meters. It is also found in eastern and southeastern Mongolia, as well as the Russian Far East and Siberia.

Main value:

Armeniaca sibirica has a wide range of uses and high economic value. It is suitable for afforestation on barren mountains, soil conservation, and as an accompanying tree species for sand and wasteland protection. It can be used as a rootstock and is an excellent original material for breeding cold-resistant apricot varieties. The seeds are used medicinally and can serve as a substitute for bitter almonds. They can also be pressed for oil. Large quantities of seeds are produced in northeastern and northern China for domestic consumption and export.

   

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