European plum

Where does European plum grow?

Found in: Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Chile, China, Costa Rica, East Africa, Egypt, Estonia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indochina, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 200 Prunus species. It is an ancient cross between Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) and possibly the sloe (Prunus spinosa) and/or the damson plum (Prunus insititia).

Growing European plum

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed or stem cuttings. It does not need pruning to produce fruit each year. They are often grafted. Plants can be spaced 6 m apart. Fruit develop on spurs and side shoots one year old. Trees are pruned to renew spurs.

Edible Uses: The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also stewed, and made into jelly and jam and juice. Dried fruit are called prunes. They are used in baked muffins, cookies, cakes and some breads. They are cooked for plum puddings. They are distilled for alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The flowers are eaten as a garnish for salads and also brewed into tea.

Production: A tree starts to bear after about 5 years and produces for about 20 years. A tree may produce 65-70 kg of fruit.

Nutrition Info

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