Bloomipedia
Desert peach (Prunus andersonii)
Photo: Gabriel Campbell-Martinez via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Desert peach

Prunus andersonii

Desert peach (Prunus andersonii) is a shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–May across the U.S.

Native to Nevada

Desert peach is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Nevada it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

2states where USDA records it
1,033NV sightings*
2,400U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Nevada

Quick look

Prunus andersonii is a North American species of shrub in the same genus as the peach, cherry, and almond. Its common names include desert peach and desert almond.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Nevada. NatureServe
  • In Nevada, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,033 research-grade sightings of it in Nevada, ranking #28 among the 132 flowers on our Nevada list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Nevada, most flowering sightings come in April–May.

Flowering records by month in Nevada (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (99 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Nevada
Not listed Not on Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Nevada. NAC 527.010
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cherry” (Prunus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records desert peach in 2 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Nevada.

Nevada counties with USDA records: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 24 counties across 2 states; the most are in Nevada (13), California (11).

Other Prunus on Bloomipedia (16): Black cherry, Chokecherry, Carolina laurelcherry, American plum, Beach plum, Peach, Cherry laurel, Fire cherry, Sweet cherry, European plum.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry.

More Nevada flowers

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Stansbury's cliffrose (Purshia stansburyana)

Stansbury's cliffrose

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🌼 Blooms in NV: April–June
Mat rock spiraea (Petrophytum caespitosum)

Mat rock spiraea

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🌼 Blooms in NV: July–September

Sources