The Story of Peach

Prunus persica includes nectarine. Kew synonymizes var. nectarina with the species. Apricot, plum, and almond are related Prunus species.

How it was found

Kew maps Prunus persica as a cultigen from north-central China. Native list: China North-Central. Introduced widely, including California. USDA GRIN lists it as known only in cultivation, with a probable origin in northern China.

UC Kearney/Crisosto (The Peach, ch. 22): native to China; Chinese literature dates cultivation in China to 1000 BC; probably carried from China to Persia (Iran), then quickly to Europe; 16th century established in Mexico, probably by the Spaniards; 18th century Spanish missionaries introduced it to California. UC Bug Squad: nectarines originated in ancient China, not Persia, despite persica / nucipersica names. The China-cultigen statements agree on region; the 1000 BC date is UC’s, not Kew’s. persica / “Persian apple” is a name-history, not Kew Native to.

How people used it

Kew lists food (also fuel, environmental uses, invertebrate food). UC Kearney/Crisosto treats peach as a fresh-market stone fruit; UC IPM treats peaches and nectarines together as stone fruits grown in California.

Kew lists medicine and poison uses.

Timeline

1. 1000 BC

   Chinese literature, “Persian apple” later

   UC Kearney/Crisosto: Chinese literature dates peach cultivation in China to 1000 BC; native to China; once called “Persian apple.” The Persia in the name comes from the China-to-Persia route.

   UC Kearney / Crisosto — Harvesting and Postharvest Handling of Peaches

2. 16th century

   Established in Mexico

   UC Kearney/Crisosto: peaches were established in Mexico, probably by the Spaniards. A New World planting after the China-to-Persia-to-Europe path.

   UC Kearney / Crisosto

3. 1616 (nectarine in America)

   Nectarines with the colonists

   UC ANR Bug Squad: European colonists began growing nectarines in America as early as 1616. Same page: nectarines originated in ancient China, not Persia; botanical names Prunus persica and P. persica var. nucipersica.

   UC ANR Bug Squad — In the Pink

4. 18th century

   Spanish missionaries, California

   UC Kearney/Crisosto: Spanish missionaries introduced the peach to California in the 18th century, which became the most important production area after China and Italy.

   UC Kearney / Crisosto

5. 1753 / 1801

   From Amygdalus to Prunus

   Kew accepts Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, first published in Beytr. Entw. Gewächsreich: 30 (1801). Homotypic synonym Amygdalus persica L., Sp. Pl.: 472 (1753). USDA GRIN: Beytr. Entw. Gewachsreich 30. 1801.

   Kew POWO; USDA GRIN

Cool to know

Growing notes for this plant live on the Plant Wiki.