Learn how to identify trees—in one week

Prunus  trees, which include cherries and other stone fruits, are loved for their juicy, sweet fruit, called drupes. At the center of each fruit is a hard pit or stone, also known as a pyrena, which holds a single seed. Unlike the delicious fruit, the pit is inedible (and if you accidentally swallow it, you might get a stomachache).  

Almonds are the exception—you can eat almond seeds, sometimes called “almond nuts,” raw, toasted, or mashed into almond butter.    

Many trees in this genus are not native to the U.S. but are beloved nonetheless. 

Each spring, Washington, D.C., hosts its annual celebration of the genus Prunus: the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Trees lining the city’s Tidal Basin bloom pink and white with the flowers of Yoshino cherry trees (Prunus x yedoensis).  

Want to experience more wonder? National Geographic’s Wonder List features playful prompts and activities that turn everyday moments into wonder-filled discoveries—for families, anywhere, every day.