Plums
Family Rosaceae
Prunus domestica, the plum (P. domestica 1), includes many cultivated varieties, varying greatly in size, shape, colour (P. domestica 3) and flavour. The species is a hybrid between Prunus spinosa, the sloe or wild plum of Europe with round blackish fruits, and Prunus ceracifera, the cherry plum of western Asia with red or yellow fruits. It is a medium sized tree with simple leaves and small white flowers, solitary or in clusters of 2-3 on short pedicels. The fruit is a drupe.
Use
Plums are grown since time immemorial and in most cases their history is unknown. In the 19th century new varieties were cultivated by deliberate breeding.
Plums are eaten fresh (P. domestica 2), or made into jam and in pies. Dried plums are known as prunes.
Biggest producers of plums are Russia, eastern European countries and Germany.