Article Nº 0206 Plant Vol. I · p. 125
Almond tree (Amygdalus communis)
Original title: Amendoeira (Amygdalus communis)
The almond tree, native to Mesopotamia, is grown in Madeira and Porto Santo. The entry covers the uses of sweet almonds and the poisonous properties of distilled bitter-almond oil and water.
A tree native to Mesopotamia, cultivated in Madeira and Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’). Sweet almonds are edible, as is well known, and are used to prepare an oil with various applications. Bitter almonds yield a similar oil by cold pressing, but if this oil is obtained by distillation with water it becomes extremely poisonous. Distilled bitter-almond water is also poisonous, owing to the presence of hydrocyanic acid.
Places mentioned