In Greek mythology, a sad legend says that the almond tree is the fruit of intense love story. Phyllis was the daughter of the King of Thrace. She fell in love with Demophon, one of Theseus' sons as he was returning from Troy. They swore eternal love and were about to get married, but Demophon had to return to Athens where his father had just died. Months passed and Demophon still did not return. Phyllis, convinced that her love would not return, committed suicide by hanging. The Gods, touched by this proof of such intense love, transformed her into an almond tree, a tree which would begin to flower when the young man returned to offer her his eternal love.