Wild Plum - Prunus domesticus


Scientific Name: Prunus domesticus (Rosaceae).

English Name: Wild Plum (Rose family).

French Name: Le Prunier (='plum tree') or le Prunier cultivé (='cultivated plum tree').

5 Key Characters:
  • very variable.
  • a small to medium sized tree (not a shrub).
  • no thorns.
  • flowers very early in the year (late winter or early spring).
  • fruit can be ovoid or spherical, red, yellow, green or purple (2 - 8 cm in diameter).
Lookalikes: Cherry Plum P. cerasifera, which is much less common and has smooth round stones, not almond shaped sharp edged rough stones.

Habitat: Hedges, thickets and woodlands.

Flowering Period: January-February-March-April-May.

Status: Common. Usually 'escaped' from cultivation, from seed - hence the extreme variability. The fruit is highly regarded for jam making.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

1 comment:

  1. It's always important to be certain of what you're gathering before you eat it, Tn Tree Farm Nursery

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