Almond

Almond tree

Description

Hardwood trees in the Rosaceae family (Prunus amygdalus, P. dulcis - sweet almond and P. dulcis amara - bitter almond) native to Asia and northern Africa. Almond trees are now common in Europe, east Africa and California. The fruit and oil from the sweet almond are used for food while the oil from the bitter almond is used for flavoring. Although the tree is grown commercially for its fruit and oils, the wood has been used for inlays, small turned articles, tools, bowls and fine cabinet work. Almond wood is strong and hard with a fine straight grain. The water soluble gum that exudes from wounds on the tree has been mentioned as a watercolor binder. Almond trees are closely related to cherry trees.

Synonyms and Related Terms

mandler (Dan.); Mandel (Deut.); almendro (Esp.); amandier (Fr.); amandel (Ned.); Mandorlo (It.); amendoeira (Port.)

Additional Images

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  Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus)
  tangential section

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  Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus)
  transverse section

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  Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus)
  radial section

Resources and Citations

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "almond" [Accessed May 24, 2003].

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond (Accessed Mar. 15, 2006) -for non-English terms

• F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965

• R.Gale, P.Gasson, N.Hepper, G.Killen, "Wood" , Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 334-371., 2000