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EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.</h2> </div> </div> <div id="subnav"> <script> (function() { var cx = '010961835724713974538:ay2zqvu6pjc'; var gcse = document.createElement('script'); gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; gcse.async = true; gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); })(); </script> <gcse:search></gcse:search>  <div class="module-search module">  <div class="module-content"> <form id="search-blog" method="get" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/.services/blog/6a0105371bb32c970b01116856275e970c/search"> <input type="search" name="filter.q" results="5" value=""/> <input type="submit" value="Search"/> </form> </div> </div> </h2>--->   </div> <div id="pagebody"> <div id="pagebody-inner" class="pkg"> <div id="alpha"> <div id="alpha-inner" class="pkg">   <div class="entry" id="entry-6a0105371bb32c970b01b8d2694f93970c"> <h3 class="entry-header"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2017/05/ancient-fruit-from-an-ancient-land.html">Ancient Fruit from an Ancient Land</a> </h3> <p class="date">May 16, 2017</p> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="entry-body"> <p><a class="asset-img-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/.a/6a0105371bb32c970b01bb09822070970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Different types of fruit trees Almond trees in rocky terrain (2)" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0105371bb32c970b01bb09822070970d img-responsive" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114im_/http://epod.usra.edu/.a/6a0105371bb32c970b01bb09822070970d-750wi" style="width: 720px;" title="Different types of fruit trees Almond trees in rocky terrain (2)"/></a></p> <p><strong>Photographer</strong>: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/mailto:david-mn@zahav.net.il">Menashe Davidson </a><br/><strong>Summary Author</strong>: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/mailto:david-mn@zahav.net.il">Menashe Davidson</a></p> <p><a class="asset-img-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://a3.typepad.com/6a01116860210d970c01b8d27947f3970c-pi" style="float: left;"><img alt="Tree Wall" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a01116860210d970c01b8d27947f3970c img-responsive" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114im_/http://a3.typepad.com/6a01116860210d970c01b8d27947f3970c-350wi" style="width: 350px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; border: 4px #FFFFFF;" title="Tree Wall"/></a>Shown above are three almond trees I observed while walking among the Eked Antiquities in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://www.kkl-jnf.org/tourism-and-recreation/forests-and-parks/ayalon-canada-park.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ayalon Canada Park</a>, Israel. This fortress dates to the second century BC. The trigger for my taking this little walk was to enjoy the opening of the almonds gentle white blossoms.</p> <p>At left are three ancient fruit trees found growing in and around the fortress; a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fig</a> tree, an <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://eol.org/pages/579181/overview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">olive</a> tree (evergreen) and an <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://eol.org/pages/231567/hierarchy_entries/50321902/overview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">almond</a> tree  (from left to right). These three fruiting trees have been a staple food for humans for thousands of years and were among the first to be cultivated. Their fruit, rich in nutritional value, can be eaten fresh or preserved as dried fruit or as <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://www.irta.cat/en-US/RIT/V/V2/Pages/V22.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">processed oil</a>.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Almond</strong> (<em>Amygdalus communis</em>, family <em>Rosaceae</em>) - is one of the species most common in the Mediterranean woodlands of Israel. It's a deciduous tree that is among the first to flower, presaging the arrival of spring. Flowering precedes the appearance of foliage.</li> <li><strong>Olive</strong> (<em>Olea europea</em>, family <em>Oleaceae</em>) - an evergreen tree found across much of the Mediterranean region. It's mentioned numerous times in the Bible and is common throughout Israel.</li> <li><strong>Fig</strong> (<em>Ficus carica</em>, family <em>Moraceae</em>) – a deciduous tree, like the olive, is an integral part of the landscape and agriculture of the eastern Mediterranean region. Both photos taken on February 6, 2017.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Photo Details</strong>: Camera Model: NIKON D7100; Focal Length: 26mm (35mm equivalent: 39mm); Aperture: ƒ/25.0; Exposure Time: 0.010 s (1/100); ISO equiv: 250.</p> <ul class="related-clicks"> <li class="coords">Eked Antiquities, Israel Coordinates: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1WmwI3C0bY62ew2cJM5RfnD0Nkug&ll=31.835689250682357%2C34.99138889000005&z=16" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">31.83570000, 34.99138889</a></li> <li class="related">Related Links <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2013/03/almonds-in-bloom.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Almonds in Bloom</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2006/10/moretin-bay-fig.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Long-lived Olive Trees</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p> </p> </div> <br><br> <div id="pd_rating_holder_5755670"></div> <p>Please click on a star to cast your vote for today's image. Highest-rated EPODs are featured monthly as Viewers' Choice.</p>  <script type="text/javascript"> PDRTJS_settings_5755670 = { "id" : "5755670", "unique_id" : "6a0105371bb32c970b01b8d2694f93970c", "title" : "Ancient Fruit from an Ancient Land", "permalink" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2017/05/ancient-fruit-from-an-ancient-land.html" }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114js_/http://i.polldaddy.com/ratings/rating.js"></script> </div> <div class="entry-footer"> <p class="entry-footer-info"> <br>Categories:  <span id="_PlantLinks"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/_plantlinks/">_PlantLinks</a></span> | <span id="Flowering Plants"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/flowers/">Flowering Plants</a></span> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2017/05/ancient-fruit-from-an-ancient-land.html">Permalink</a> | </p> <p class="entry-footer-info">Interact: <script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="usra";</script><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" class="addthis_button">Share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114js_/http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Science-Picture-of-the-Day/302983839136" target="_blank">Discuss on Facebook</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/subscribe-to-epod.html">Subscribe</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="beta"> <div id="beta-inner" class="pkg">  <div id="sidebar-top"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170517054114/http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2017/05/okefenokee-tea.html">« Previous</a> </div> <script language="javascript"> var link = 0; 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