A small deciduous tree, Prunus amygdalus (also known as P. dulcis or Amygdalus communis), closely related to the peach and other stone fruits and grown widely for its edible seeds. The fruit, classified botanically as a drupe (see illus.), is analogous to that of the peach except that the outer fleshy (mesocarp) layer does not enlarge in size during the latter part of the fruit growth-curve. Instead it splits (dehisces) as it nears maturity and separates from the shell (endocarp) and then dries. The nut with the kernel, or seed, within is then released.