Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Prunus domestica
|
| Common Names: |
plum; Common Plum; Garden Plum; Prune Plum
|
| Key Name: |
European Plum
|
| Parts Used: |
Fruit, bark, leaves
|
| Sister Plants: |
Prunus salicina, Prunus cerasifera, Prunus spinosa
|
| Comments: |
Fruit-bearing tree with high pollinator activity; globally cultivated
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Rosales |
| Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus |
Prunus |
| Species |
domestica |
NCBI Tax ID |
3758
|
| Organism |
Prunus domestica
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Small to medium tree (15-30 ft), dark brown Bark with fissures, oval Leaves with serrated edges, white flowers, purple to yellow plums
|
| Stem: |
Dark brown with shallow fissures, peeling in strips
|
| Leaves: |
Oval, serrated, 2-4 inches, glossy green turning yellow in fall
|
| Flowers: |
White, 5-petaled flowers in clusters, blooming March-April
|
| Fruit: |
Purple to yellow plums, 2-5 cm, ripening July-September
|
| Taste: |
Sweet to tart (fruit), Bitter (Bark)
|
| Odour: |
Mildly sweet floral scent from flowers
|
| Root: |
Deep taproot with spreading laterals; stabilizes soil
|
| Image: |
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
Prunus domestica
Wikipedia — Wikimedia
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
Prunus domestica
Wikipedia — Wikimedia
GBIF — CC BY-NC-ND
|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Europe, Western Asia, naturalized worldwide
|
| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full Sun; propagate by grafting or cuttings
|
| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from pruned branches; Fruit: Late summer
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, Laxative, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for constipation, inflammation, Urinary issues, and mild Digestive support; dried fruit as a Laxative
|
| Constituents: |
Anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, sorbitol, amygdalin (in bark)
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (Tincture), glycerin
|
| Dosage: |
dried fruit: 5-10 prunes daily; Bark Tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: Decoction or dried fruit; External: Poultice for inflammation
|
| Formulas: |
Combine with dandelion root for digestion; with chamomile for relaxation
|
| Contra Indications: |
Bark contains amygdalin (cyanide risk if overused); avoid in Pregnancy; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
Decoction: Simmer 1 tsp Bark in 1 cup water for 10 minutes; dried fruit: Soak 5-10 prunes overnight
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for Digestive issues or wound treatment in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
1
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, visited by bees for pollen
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Attracts bees for nectar, supports pollinator health
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for carving, ornamental planting, wildlife food source
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Fruit eaten fresh, dried (prunes), or in jams; Bark in teas
|
| History: |
Cultivated since Roman times in Europe; prunes used medicinally for centuries
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; European Herbal Traditions
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+domestica
|
| Share: |
Private
|