European plum
Prunus domestica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small deciduous tree. It grows 6-10 m high. The young twigs are hairy. The bark is grey-brown and becomes cracked with age. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate. The leaves are 2-7 cm long by 0.7-3.5 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the tip. They have fine teeth. The base is rounded. The flowers are white. The fruit are round. They are golden yellow, green, red or dark purple. They have a waxy bloom. Fruit can be 7.5 cm long. The stone is large and rough or pitted. There are many cultivated varieties.

There are about 200 Prunus species. It is an ancient cross between Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) and possibly the sloe (Prunus spinosa) and/or the damson plum (Prunus insititia).

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1200-2000 m altitude. It needs 1,000-1,200 hours of chilling below 7°C during the dormant period. They do best with 90-110 cm annual and well-distributed rainfall. A well drained soil and a pH of 5.5-6.8 is best. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indochina, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also stewed, and made into jelly and jam and juice. Dried fruit are called prunes. They are used in baked muffins, cookies, cakes and some breads. They are cooked for plum puddings. They are distilled for alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The flowers are eaten as a garnish for salads and also brewed into tea.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, gum, oil, seeds, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or stem cuttings. It does not need pruning to produce fruit each year. They are often grafted. Plants can be spaced 6 m apart. Fruit develop on spurs and side shoots one year old. Trees are pruned to renew spurs.

A tree starts to bear after about 5 years and produces for about 20 years. A tree may produce 65-70 kg of fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Aaru bakhara, Abrunheiro, Ahom bogori, Alubukhara, Alucha, Ameixa-europeia, Ameixa, Ciruela, Dag erigi, Damsons, Endrina, Erik, Italian plum, Kreegipuu, Kreek, Li zi, Lucha, Naaspai schein, Ou zhou li, Pflaumenbaum, Ploomipuu, Plum, Prune commune, Prunero, Seiyou sumono, Susina, Zwetschge

Synonyms

Prunus x domestica; Prunus communis Huds.; Prunus domestica var. damascena L.; Prunus sativa subsp. domestica Rouy;