Apricot

Apricot, the fruit of Prunus Armeniaca, a small tree belonging to the sub-order Drupaceae of the order Rosacea, believed to be a native of Armenia, but common throughout the lower mountains of Asia, and cultivated in Europe and North America, though it seldom ripens well in England. It differs from the plum and the cherry in its downy skin or epicarp, and from peaches and almonds in its smooth stone or endocarp. In a dried state apricots form an important article of food in the East. Britain imports large quantities in syrup from California. The liqueur noyeau is prepared from the kernels, i.e. the seeds.