Temperate tree fruits of North America: Malus Mill., Prunus L., Diospyros L., and Asimina Adans

Abstract

North America has four native temperate tree fruit genera that have played key cultural roles due to their edible fruit and medicinal uses and have also been valuable as hardwood: Malus Mill. (apple), Prunus L. (cherry, plum, peach, etc.), Diospyros L. (persimmon), and Asimina Adans. (pawpaw). Some native North American species of these tree fruit genera also exhibit traits that are desirable for plant breeding targets. 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. North American genebanks maintain vast collections of these genera that are among the largest in the world. Increased representation of North American native tree fruit species within genebanks will ensure global access to key genetic resources for future generations.