Amygdalus pedunculata Pall., also known as Long-stalked almond or Long-stalked bitter almond, is a shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Amygdalus genus. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 meters. The branches are spreading and have numerous short twigs. The small twigs are light brown to dark gray-brown and covered with short soft hairs when young. The winter buds are small and often grouped in threes on the short twigs, with leaf buds in the middle and flower buds on the sides.

The leaves are elliptical, nearly circular, or inverted egg-shaped, measuring 1-4 centimeters in length and 0.7-2 centimeters in width. The flowers are solitary and bloom slightly earlier than the leaves. They have a diameter of 1-1.5 centimeters, with flower stalks measuring 4-8 millimeters and covered in short soft hairs. The fruit stalks are also 4-8 millimeters long. The seeds are broadly ovoid and brownish-yellow in color. The flowering period is in May, and the fruit ripens in July and August.

Long-stalked almond prefers light, cold-resistant, and drought-tolerant conditions. It thrives in fixed sandy areas, gravelly slopes, foothills, and other habitats within arid grasslands and desert grasslands. It is found in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia in China, as well as Mongolia and Siberia in Russia. It is commonly used for soil and water conservation and is a key tree species for reforestation efforts in dry grassland and desert grassland areas. The seeds of this species, known as "Yuli Ren, " have medicinal uses.

Morphological characteristics:

The shrub grows to a height of 1-2 meters, with spreading branches and numerous short twigs. The small twigs are light brown to dark gray-brown and covered with short soft hairs when young. The winter buds are small and often grouped in threes on the short twigs, with leaf buds in the middle and flower buds on the sides. The leaves on the short twigs are densely clustered, while the leaves on one-year-old branches are alternate. The leaf blades are elliptical, nearly circular, or inverted egg-shaped, measuring 1-4 centimeters in length and 0.7-2 centimeters in width. They have an acute or rounded tip, a broad wedge-shaped base, dark green upper surfaces, light green lower surfaces, and sparse short soft hairs on both sides. The leaf margins have irregular coarse serrations, and there are 4-6 pairs of lateral veins. The leaf stalks are 2-5 (10) millimeters long and covered in short soft hairs.

The flowers are solitary and bloom slightly earlier than the leaves, with a diameter of 1-1.5 centimeters. The flower stalks are 4-8 millimeters long and covered in short soft hairs. The calyx tube is broadly bell-shaped, measuring 4-6 millimeters in length, and is either hairless or slightly hairy. The calyx lobes are triangular-ovate, with slightly blunt tips and occasionally sparsely serrated edges. The petals are nearly circular, with a diameter of 7-10 millimeters, sometimes slightly concave at the tip, and pink in color. There are numerous stamens, and the ovary is densely covered in short soft hairs, with the pistil slightly longer or about the same length as the stamens. The fruit is nearly spherical or ovoid, measuring 10-15 millimeters in diameter, with a small pointed tip at the apex. When ripe, the fruit is dark purple-red and covered in short soft hairs. The fruit stalks are 4-8 millimeters long. The fruit flesh is thin and dry, and it splits open when ripe, releasing the stone. The stone is broadly ovoid, measuring 8-12 millimeters in diameter, with a small pointed tip at the apex, a rounded base, slightly flattened sides, and a light brown color with a smooth or slightly wrinkled surface. The seeds are broadly ovoid and yellowish-brown in color. The flowering period is in May, and the fruit ripens in July and August.

Growth habits:

Long-stalked almond prefers light, cold-resistant, and drought-tolerant conditions. It thrives in fixed sandy areas, gravelly slopes, foothills, and other habitats within arid grasslands and desert grasslands.

Geographical distribution:

It is found in Inner Mongolia (Xilingol League, Ulanqab City, Ordos City, etc.) and Ningxia in China, as well as Mongolia and Siberia in Russia.

Main value:

Long-stalked almond is a unique plant on the Mongolian Plateau and should be protected and vigorously propagated. It is commonly used for soil and water conservation and is a key tree species for reforestation efforts in dry grassland and desert grassland areas. The seeds, known as "Yuli Ren, " have medicinal uses. The plant has early and beautiful flowering, making it suitable for ornamental purposes in desert areas.

   

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