Bullace, Damson
Prunus domestica subsp. insititia

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 7 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is dark grey and smooth but becomes cracked with age. The leaves are narrowly oval and 7.5 cm long by 5 cm wide. They have an abrupt short point at the tip. The leaves have blunt teeth. The leaves are matt green above and are on often spiny shoots. The flowers are 2.5 cm across and white with 5 petals. The flowers occur singly or in small clusters of up to 3. The fruit are rounded. They are 5 cm long. The fruit is small and dark blue. The stone inside is nearly round and clings to the flesh.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can resist disease and cold. It suits plant hardiness zones 5-9. In Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, China, Estonia, Europe, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Isle of Man, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. It is more often eaten in preserves. The leaves are used for tea like drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Andriniega, Kreegipuu, Trankosliva

Synonyms

Druparia insititia Clairv.; Prunus domestica L. subsp. institua (L.) C. K Schneider; Prunus domestica var. institia (L.) Fiori & Paoletti; Prunus institia L.;