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Submitted to: North American Crop Wild Relatives
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2017 Publication Date: 3/14/2019 Citation: Volk, G.M. 2019. Temperate tree fruits of North America: Malus Mill., Prunus L., Diospyros L., and Asimina Adans. North American Crop Wild Relatives. 2:353-386. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97121-6_11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97121-6_11 Interpretive Summary: North America has four native temperate tree fruit genera that have each played key cultural roles due to their edible fruit, medicinal uses, as well as their value as hardwood: Malus (apple), Prunus (cherry, plum, peach, etc.), Diospyros (persimmon), and Asimina (paw paw). Native North American species of these tree fruit genera also exhibit some traits that are desirable for plant breeding. This chapter provides summary information about the geographic distribution, phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships, and conservation efforts for North American Malus, Prunus, Diospyros, and Asimina species. The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) maintains vast collections of these genera that are among the largest in the world. Increased representation of North American native tree fruit species within the NPGS will ensure international access to key genetic resources for future generations. Technical Abstract: North America has four native temperate tree fruit genera that have each played key cultural roles due to their edible fruit, medicinal uses, as well as their value as hardwood: Malus (apple), Prunus (cherry, plum, peach, etc.), Diospyros (persimmon), and Asimina (paw paw). Native North American species of these tree fruit genera also exhibit some traits that are desirable for plant breeding. This chapter provides summary information about the geographic distribution, phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships, and conservation efforts for North American Malus, Prunus, Diospyros, and Asimina species. The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) maintains vast collections of these genera that are among the largest in the world. Increased representation of North American native tree fruit species within the NPGS will ensure international access to key genetic resources for future generations. |
