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Valentine.gr  

February 2003

Did you know that Czechs, Italians, and Greeks see Almond tree as good luck and long life, and give out the nuts at weddings?

Almond (Prunus amygdalus - Amygdalus communis)

Almond (Prunus amygdalus - Amygdalus communis)

The almond (Prunus amygdalus - Amygdalus communis) is most closely related to the peach, falling into the Prunoideae subfamily of the Rosaceae. Almond and peach are found in the Amygdalus subgenus within Prunus.

The tree is of moderate size, usually from 6 to 9 m. high, with spreading branches the leaves lance-shaped, finely toothed (or serrated) at the edges. The flowers are produced before the leaves - from January to March depending of the region - and in great profusion. There are two principal forms of the Almond the one with entirely pink flowers, Amygdalus communis, var. dulcis, producing Sweet Almonds; the other, A. communis, var. amara, with flowers slightly larger, and the petals almost white towards the tips, deepening into rose at the base, producing Bitter Almonds.

The almond originated in the hot, dry climate of middle east (Iran), and spread along the shores of the Mediterranean in northern Africa and southern Europe by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Cato himself brought the almond from Greece into Italy. From there, cultivation spread to north Africa, Spain, Portugal, and France. In fact, in 812 AD Charlemagne ordered almond trees to be planted in his imperial orchards. Medieval Europe loved them fresh and green for their "milk"--which people used instead of cow's milk to get around holy strictures on Christian fasting days. It was very early introduced into England, probably by the Romans, and occurs in the Anglo-Saxon lists of plants, but was not cultivated in England before 1562, and then chiefly for its blossom. The almond was brought to California in the 1700s by Spanish Padres who settled the Mission at Santa Barbara. Larger plantings did not occur until the mid-1800s.

The tree grows freely in Syria and Palestine: it is mentioned in Scripture as one of the best fruit trees of the land of Canaan, and there are many other biblical references to it. Almonds, as well as the oil pressed from them, were well known in Greece and Italy long before the Christian era. A beautiful fable in Greek mythology is associated with the tree.

Phyllis, a beautiful princess, was left waiting at the altar on her wedding day by her intended, Demophon. Phyllis waited for years for him to return, but finally died of a broken heart. In sympathy, the gods transformed Phyllis into an almond tree, which became a symbol of hope. When the errant, remorseful Demonphon returned to find Phyllis as a leafless, flowerless tree, he embraced the tree. The tree suddenly burst into bloom, a demonstration of love not conquered by death.

Interesting how different cultures interpreted the trees habit of flowering before leafing. Biblical Hebrews thus regarded the almond as a symbol of haste because of its sudden blossoming. Thophrastus in Ancient Greece was content to record the phenomenon. Moslems associated saw these almond blossoms as a symbol of hope bursting out. Ancient Pagans thought almonds symbolized virginity. Some even used almonds as an emblem of the Virgin Mary. While symbolising virginity, almonds were also used as fertility charms and marriage blessings. Modern Czechs, Italians, and Greeks see them as good luck and long life--and give out the nuts at weddings.

Source:
http://www.soupsong.com/fnuts.html
http://www.uga.edu/fruit/almond.htm
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/almon026.html

 

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Black Sapote - Diospyros nigra
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Chinese bayberry - Myrica rubra
Wood Apple - Limonia acidissima
Açaí - Euterpe oleracea
Tindola - Ivy gourd - Coccinia grandis
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Balata - Manilkara bidentata
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Water Banana - Typhonodorum lindleyanum
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Natal Plum - Carissa macrocarpa
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Australian Finger Lime - Citrus australasica
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Honey Flower - Melianthus major
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Protea cynaroides
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Puya raimondii
Fuchsia
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Primula - Primerose
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Fritillaria imperialis - Crown imperial
Aster
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Syringa Vurgaris - Lilac
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Snowdrop - Galanthus
Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima
Dionaea muscipula
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Amorrhophallus titanum
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