Prunus spinosa the more shrubby habit with stiffer, wider-angled branches of "P. spinosa"; in summer by the relatively narrower leaves of "P. spinosa", more than twice as long as broad; and in autumn by the colour of the fruit skin purplish black in "P. spinosa" and yellow or red in "P. cerasifera". "Prunus spinosa" has a tetraploid (2"n"=4"x"=32) set of chromosomes. The specific name "" is a Latin term indicating the pointed and thornlike spur shoots characteristic of this species. The common name "" is due to the thorny nature of the shrub, and its very dark bark. The word commonly used
Prunus brigantina Prunus brigantina Prunus brigantina, called Briançon apricot, marmot plum, and alpine apricot, is a wild tree species native to France and Italy. It is the only apricot-like "Prunus" species native to Europe. The fruit is similar to the commercial apricot "Prunus armeniaca", and is edible. An edible oil produced from the seed, 'huile des marmottes', is used in France. Unlike the other closely related species known as apricots, the fruit is smooth rather than hairy. "Prunus brigantina" is considered a member of the apricot group, along with "P. armeniaca", "P. mandshurica", "P. mume", and "P. sibirica", but its genetic relationships