Characterized by its smooth, shiny skin, Prunus domestica fruits come in a range of colors including red, purple, and yellow. Among its many aliases are European plum, gage, garden plum, and prune plum, reflecting its widespread cultivation and popularity across different cultures.
These plum trees boast relatively long-lived spurs, typically developing on two-year-old wood, akin to apples and pears. Standing tall at heights of 10-16 meters, they yield fruits of diverse hues and shapes, with over 900 cultivated varieties. Some are specifically grown for culinary purposes, such as cooking or drying into prunes.
Prunus domestica is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties attributed to its polyphenol content. Its fruits, oval-shaped and softer compared to Japanese plums, encase a smooth, flattened stone. While they are utilized for various culinary applications like prunes or fruit cocktails, they are less commonly consumed fresh in the United States.
In summary, Prunus domestica stands as a versatile and resilient fruit tree, cherished for its adaptability, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility.
Prunus domestica: The European Plum
