Plum
Plums are an ancient domesticated fruit, dried as prunes.
Plums are the fruit of certain species within the *Prunus* subgenus *Prunus*, and when dried, they are typically called prunes. Humans are thought to have domesticated plums very early in agricultural history, possibly among the first fruits cultivated. Their origins are traced to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus Mountains, and China. From Asia, they were brought to Britain, and cultivation in southern Spain was documented in a 12th-century agricultural text. The trees are a diverse group; when pruned, they usually reach a height of 5 to 6 meters, though they can grow much taller without pruning. The fruit is a drupe, with firm, juicy flesh and a smooth, waxy peel that adheres to the flesh. Plums can be eaten fresh, dried into prunes, made into jams, or fermented into wine and distilled into brandy. The seeds, or kernels, contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that acts as a cyanide-like poison. In 2023, China produced 55% of the world's plums. Japanese or Chinese plums, which are large and juicy with a long shelf life, dominate the fresh fruit market, while European plums are also common in some regions. The commercially important species include *Prunus domestica* from Europe and the Caucasus, and *Prunus salicina* and *Prunus simonii* from China. Plum trees blossom at different times worldwide, for instance in January in Taiwan and early April in the United Kingdom. The fruit’s taste ranges from sweet to tart, and the skin can be particularly tart. Plums are also used to make alcoholic beverages like plum wine and, in central England, a cider-like drink called plum jerkum.
- Type
- Fruit
- Domestication
- One of the first fruits domesticated by humans
- Origin
- Eastern Europe, Caucasus Mountains, China
- Major Producers (2023)
- China (55% of world total), Romania, Chile
- Height (pruned)
- 5–6 metres (16–20 ft)
- Key Species
- Prunus domestica (European), Prunus salicina (Japanese/Chinese)
- Notable Toxin
- Amygdalin in seeds
Lore & Background
Plums are likely to have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans. Three of the most abundantly cultivated species are not found in the wild, only around human settlements: Prunus domestica has been traced to East European and Caucasian mountains, while Prunus salicina and Prunus simonii originated in China. Plum remains have been found in Neolithic age archaeological sites along with olives, grapes and figs. According to Ken Albala, plums originated in Iran. They were brought to Britain from Asia. An article on plum tree cultivation in Andalusia (southern Spain) appears in Ibn al-'Awwam's 12th-century agricultural work, Book on Agriculture. Plum cultivation is recorded in medieval monasteries in England. A garden with 'ploumes' and 'bulaces' is referred to by Chaucer. The cultivation of plums increased during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this period greengages were given their English name and the Mirabelle plum became firmly established. Advances in the development of new varieties in England were made by Thomas Rivers. Two examples of River's work are the varieties Early Rivers and Czar.
Reader's Guide
Plums hold significance as one of the earliest domesticated fruits, with archaeological evidence from Neolithic sites alongside olives, grapes, and figs. Their cultivation spread from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and China to Britain and Andalusia, as documented in Ibn al-'Awwam's 12th-century work. In 2023, China produced 55% of the world's plums, with Japanese or Chinese plums dominating the fresh fruit market due to their large size, juiciness, and long shelf life. European plums remain common in some regions and include varieties such as Damson, Greengage, Mirabelle, and Victoria. Plums are versatile: eaten fresh, dried as prunes, made into jams, fermented into wine, or distilled into brandy like slivovitz in the Balkans. The fruit's seeds contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside. The name 'plum' derives from Old English, ultimately from a loanword from an unknown language of Asia Minor. Plums are also used in traditional dishes worldwide, from Japanese umeboshi to Chinese salted plums. Their legacy includes both culinary and economic importance, with ongoing cultivation and hybridization.
Did You Know?
- Plum seeds contain amygdalin, a cyanide-like poison.
- In 2023, China produced 55% of the world's plums.
- The name 'plum' comes from Old English, ultimately from a loanword from an unknown language of Asia Minor.
More in Common Plants And Crops 1-24
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