Prunus is a genus of about 230 species, distributed primarily in north
temperate regions. Prunus has been historically divided into a number of genera by
various botanists. Three subgenera correspond to broad categories of stone fruits. Main
domesticated species are peach, apricot, cherry and plum. Different characters have
been used to uniquely identify genotypes and cultivars. In the present chapter the main
pomological and phenological characteristics are presented. Features and ripening dates
are described for 72 peach cultivars: 19 with white flesh, 28 with yellow flesh, 13
canning peaches and 12 with flat shape. Forty-one different nectarines, 46 apricots, 48
cherries and 18 Japanese and 5 European plums cultivars are also described. A second
part of the chapter is also devoted to the description of the physiological phenomena
related to production and to the main agricultural techniques and best practices for
orchard management.
