Manchurian Apricot (Prunus mandschurica)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun

Cultivation

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. A very frost-resistant plant. Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. Closely related to P. sibirica. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering in spring.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Seed - raw or cooked. It usually has a bitter flavour, though there are plants with sweeter seeds. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal uses

The seed is antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and emollient. The seed contains amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Material uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. A very frost-resistant plant, it has the potential for use as a rootstock. Wood - very hard, durable and attractive.