Nectarine is a smooth-skinned variety or mutation from the peach, Prunus persica. Several genetic studies have concluded in fact that nectarines are created due to a recessive gene in its peach parent. Nectarines have arisen many times from peach trees, often as bud sports. Its origin is unknown. Peaches probably originated from China, being one of the first fruit crop domesticated about 4,000 years ago.