flowering almond, name for several species of ornamental shrubs of the genus Prunus, of the family Rosaceae (rose family), chiefly those which also include the true almond, peach, plum, cherry, and apricot. The pink or white blossoms (often double) usually appear before the leaves. These species are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.