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The Plum Tree – Prunus domestica

By goodadmin | September 9, 2007

by steve stamos

The Plum tree belongs to the genus Prunus of the family Rosaceae. Frequently grown as a shrub but can be grown as a tree but rarely more than 10 m high. The Plum tree is by nature small and bears heavily with comparatively little attention.

The common European plum tree is classified as Prunus domestica, the Japanese plum as Prunus salicina, and the Damson plum as Prunus insititia. European plum trees incline to be upright with attractive deep green foliage and suited to both warm and cool climates. The Japanese plums, most likely originating in China, is a vigorous tree and unlike the European plum need another Japanese plum tree to pollinate it . The tree produces 5 to 10 cm long leaves and white and fragrant flowers in early spring.

The common European plum, the most important species, has been cultivated since ancient times and in all likelihood originated near the Caspian Sea. Yields of varieties of this species range in color from yellow or blood-red to green, but purplish-blue is most common.

Plums can grow red, green, yellow-gold, purple, or blue plum fruits, varied in size from large to small and in taste from sour to sweet. Dried plums, or prunes, are made from the varieties that are most plentiful in sugar and solids. The Damson plum-a small, ovate, sweet fruit employed mostly in jams-was first cultivated in ancient times in the area of Damascus.

The Cherry plum tree or Myrobalan - Prunus cerasifera, syn. P. divaricata, is a native species of to central and Eastern Europe and central Asia. This is a very popular decorative tree in gardens. The fruit can be consumed fresh in some forms, being sweet with a fine flavor, while others are sour, but first-class for jam making.

Plums are popular consumed fresh but also are popular for jam making and bottling or canning, but the sweeter varieties are among the most delicious dessert fruits.

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