Definition

Noun: * Amygdalus communis amara: A specific variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis var. amara) characterized by white blossoms and nuts that contain amygdalin. These nuts yield a bitter oil, distinct from the edible almond, used historically and in specialized applications for flavoring and medicinal purposes.

Usage

• This term is a scientific botanical name. It is used in technical, horticultural, pharmacological, or historical contexts to specify the bitter almond tree, differentiating it from the common sweet almond tree ().
• In modern botanical taxonomy, it is more commonly referred to as var. .

Examples

• The essential oil derived from Amygdalus communis amara must be used with extreme caution due to its potential toxicity.
• Historical pharmacopoeias often listed extracts from Amygdalus communis amara for specific therapeutic uses.
• The orchard contained both sweet almond trees and a row of Amygdalus communis amara for oil production.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in Latin form within scientific literature. In general English, the common name "bitter almond tree" is preferred for non-technical communication.
• It may appear in the context of essential oil production, traditional medicine, or botanical studies.

Variants and Related Words

• Bitter almond tree: The common English name for .
• Prunus dulcis var. amara: The modern, accepted botanical synonym.
• Amygdalus communis dulcis: The botanical name for the sweet almond tree.
• Amygdalin: The glycoside compound found in the nuts of this tree, which can release cyanide.

Synonyms

• Bitter almond tree

Notes on Meaning

• This term refers exclusively to the plant species/variety itself, not its products. The nuts are "bitter almonds," and the oil is "bitter almond oil."
• It is critical to distinguish between the highly processed, safe bitter almond oil used in flavoring and the toxic, unrefined oil from the nuts. This term refers to the source tree for both.

Noun

1. almond trees having white blossoms and poisonous nuts yielding an oil used for flavoring and for medicinal purposes