Common Name: |
Plum |
Botanical Name: |
Prunus domestica |
Genus: |
Prunus |
Family: |
Rosaceae |
Native Location: |
Eurasia |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Prunus laurocerasus tolerates shade. Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) is a useful plant for hedging in cold, exposed, or coastal ares. Prune fruiting specimens in summer to restrict growth and encourage formation of fruit buds. Trim P. laurocerasus in spring. Leaves and young shoots are often attacked by aphids and caterpillars. Likely diseases and disorders include peach leaf curl, bacterial canker, chlorosis, witches' broom, and honey fungus. Many Prunus species are relatively short-lived. P. laurocerasus may be affected by leafspot and powdery mildew. Most Prunus species are shallow-rooted and will sucker if roots are damaged. Early-flowering species are prone to frost damage. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in autumn (species only); by greenwood cuttings in early summer (deciduous species); by semi-ripe cuttings in summer (P. laurocerasus). Cultivars are budded in summer or grafted in early spring. |
Harvest: |
Leaves (P. persica) are picked in summer and dried for infusions, or (P. laurocerasus) distilled for aqueous extract (cherry laurel water). Bark (P. africana, P. persica, P. serotina) is stripped in autumn and winter and dried for infusions, liquid extracts, powders, syrups, and tinctures; bark of P. africana is also processed for pharmaceutical extracts. Flowers (P. persica) are gathered in spring, and unripe fruits (P. armeniaca, P. domestica, P. mume, P. persica) in summer, and dried for decoctions. Fruits are picked ripe or unripe, depending on use; prunes (cultivars of P. domestica) are often left on the trees to dry. Seeds from ripe fruits are dried for decoctions (P. japonica) or crushed for oil (P. armeniaca, P. dulcis, P. persica). |
Varieties: |
Mirabelle Bears yellow, pit-free fruits with a bloomed skin and sweet, firm, pale, yellow flesh; ideal for conserves, spirits, and prunes. |
Prune d' Agen Bears long ovoid, dark purple fruits with very sweet aromatic flesh; good for desserts and drying as prunes. |
|
Height: |
10-12m (30-40ft) |
Width: |
8-10m (25-30ft) |
Hardiness: |
Z5-8 |
Parts Used: |
Dried fruits (prunes). |
Properties: |
A cooling, lubricant, laxative herb. |
Vitamin Content: |
Thiamin |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for constipation. Often added to laxative preparations. |
Culinary Uses: |
Prunes are eaten dried, soaked or cooked, preserved in brandy or vinegar, and made into liqueurs and spirits, such as slobovitz; also added to sauces and stews (especially the Middle Eastern tadjub ahmar), stuffings, desserts, and cakes. |
Economic Uses: |
Due to their moisture-holding properties, prunes are used in commercial fat and egg substitutes for baked products. |
Warning: |
All parts of P. laurocerasus, notably the leaves and seeds, are harmful if eaten. Bitter-tasting kernels of Prunus species may be fatally toxic in excess. |
Bibliography: |
The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp. 331-332
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