A small, deciduous, bushy tree 10 to 20 ft high, with a short trunk. Leaves ovate or oval, often slightly heart-shaped at the base, shortly and abruptly pointed, the margins doubly and rather jaggedly toothed, 11⁄2 to 3 in. long, 1 to 21⁄2 in. wide, hairy beneath, especially on the veins and midrib; stalk 1⁄3 to 2⁄3 in. long. Flowers white or pinkish, 3⁄4 in. or so across, two or more together. Fruit like a small apricot, of a rather clear yellow, smooth.
This tree grows spontaneously in the neighbourhood of Briançon, and occurs wild in the Maritime and Cottian Alps. From the seeds the Briançonnais express an inflammable, agreeably perfumed oil, known as huile de Marmotte. This apricot has little to recommend it for gardens.