File: Nectarine Fruit Development.jpg

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English: Nectarine (Prunus persica) fruit development over a 7½ month period, from early winter to midsummer; East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

1. Bud formation can be observed on new growth on the plant (early winter) (individual image)
2. . Flower buds clearly formed and leaves start to develop (early spring, ≈ 3 months) (individual image).
3. . Flowers fully develop and are pollinated by wind or insects (early spring, ≈ 3½ months) (individual image).
4. . If successfully pollinated, flowers die back and incipient fruit can be observed; leaves have quickly grown to provide tree with food and energy from photosynthesis (mid-spring, ≈ 4 months) (individual image).
5. . Fruit is well developed and continues to grow (late spring, ≈ 5½ months) (individual image).
6. . Fruit fully ripens to an edible form to encourage spreading of seed contained within by animals (midsummer, ≈ 7½ months)