- products
- fruit
- prunus_domestica
- type: deciduous fruit tree of the rosaceae family
- properties
- root: moderately deep root system, fibrous and branching. benefits from well-aerated soils
- stem: straight trunk with rough grey-brown bark. branches spread outward
- leaf: alternate, ovate to oblong, 4–10 cm long, serrated edge, deep green
- leaf-length:: 4–10 cm
- flower: white, five-petaled, borne in clusters in early spring before leaves appear
- fruit: drupe (plum), oval or round (3–8 cm), skin varies from yellow to purple, flesh sweet or tart with a hard seed
- bark: rough, grey-brown, occasionally used in traditional medicine
- timber: dense, moderately hard, fine-textured, used in crafts and tool handles
- environment:: prefers temperate climates with cold winters and warm summers, fertile, well-drained soils
- climate:: temperate with chill periods for flowering and fruiting. tolerates some drought once established
- sun:: 600–900 W/m²
- no-sun-days:: 10–20 days
- water:: 800–1200 mm/year
- no-water-days:: 30–45 days
- humidity:: 40–70 %
- fog-resistance:: 7–10 days
- max-temp:: 38 °C
- optimal-temp:: 18–26 °C
- min-temp:: –20 °C
- wind-damage:: strong-dry, cold-snap, hail
- soil:: well-drained loamy soil with moderate fertility. sensitive to waterlogging
- soil-ph:: 6.0–7.5
- soil-type:: loamy, sandy-loam, silty-loam
- spacing:: 4–6 m between trees depending on variety and pruning method
- climate:: temperate with chill periods for flowering and fruiting. tolerates some drought once established
- lifecycle
- longevity:: 30–50 years
- germination:: seeds germinate in 30–60 days after stratification (cold treatment). usually grafted for production
- seedling:: slow in first year, prefers filtered sun and moist, well-aerated soil
- mature:: begins flowering and fruiting 3–5 years after planting (grafted), with annual harvests
- death:: productivity declines after 25–35 years; root diseases and borer insects can accelerate death
- features: deciduous, edible fruit, attract pollinators, cold-hardy, spring-flowering
- layer: canopy, sub-canopy
- products: fresh plum, dried plum (prunes), juice, jam, vinegar, seed oil, leaf infusion, bark decoction, timber
- chemical compounds
| compound | plant part | % amount | description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ------------------------ | ---------------- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| dietary fiber | fruit (fresh) | ~2–4% | promotes digestion and gut motility |
| sorbitol | fruit | ~5–10% | sugar alcohol with mild laxative effect |
| vitamin c | fruit | ~5–10 mg/100g | antioxidant, supports immune health |
| anthocyanins | fruit skin | ~0.1–0.5% | pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties |
| chlorogenic acid | fruit | ~0.1–0.2% | antioxidant, supports metabolic function |
| cyanogenic glycosides | seed, bark | ~0.05–0.1% | potential toxicity, traditional use in controlled dosages |
| tannins | leaf, bark | ~3–7% | astringent, antimicrobial, used in folk medicine |
| flavonoids | leaf, fruit | ~0.5–1% | antioxidant, supports capillary strength and anti-inflammatory actions |
| essential oils | flower | trace <0.1% | aromatic compounds with calming and pollinator-attracting effects |
| lignin, cellulose | timber | ~50–70% | structural polymers in woody tissue used in crafts and tools |
- operations
- propagate plants: typically grafted onto rootstock for uniformity and early fruiting. seedlings require stratification
- maintenance: annual winter pruning to shape and encourage fruiting wood. mulch and composting recommended. control fungal leaf spots
- harvest:
- fruit: harvested when firm-ripe and aromatic, ripening varies with cultivar
- leaves: used in traditional teas for constipation and blood sugar regulation
- bark: sometimes decocted for digestive and respiratory treatments
- timber: obtained from pruned or old trees, used in small woodwork and tools
traditional medicine recipes
prune decoction for constipation and digestion
- ingredients
- 5–7 dried prunes
- 2 cups of water
- instructions
- soak the prunes in water overnight.
- in the morning, boil the mixture for 10–15 minutes.
- strain and let cool slightly.
- drink 1 cup in the morning on an empty stomach.
- uses
- traditionally used as a natural laxative for relieve constipation. prunes are rich in sorbitol and dietary fiber, which promote bowel movements and digestive health.
- plum bark tea for diarrhea
- ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried plum bark (shredded)
- 1.5 cups of water
- instructions
- boil the bark in water for 15 minutes.
- strain and cool.
- drink 1/2 cup, 2 times per day until symptoms subside.
- uses
- used in folk medicine to treat mild diarrhea and intestinal inflammation due to the astringent tannins in the bark.
- fresh plum juice for liver and skin health
- ingredients
- 4–5 ripe plums
- optional: a few mint leaves
- instructions
- wash and remove seeds from the plums.
- blend the pulp with 1/2 cup of water until smooth.
- strain (optional) and drink once daily.
- uses
- consumed to support liver function and skin clarity due to the antioxidant compounds like vitamin c and phenolics.
- plum leaf compress for skin rashes and inflammation
- ingredients
- 6–8 fresh plum leaves
- a small amount of warm water
- instructions
- crush the leaves into a coarse paste.
- apply directly to irritated or inflamed skin.
- cover with a clean cloth or gauze.
- leave for 20–30 minutes, then rinse gently.
- uses
- used topically to reduce inflammation and soothe rashes. plum leaves contain tannins and chlorogenic acid, which have calming and antimicrobial properties.
- plum flower infusion for relaxation
- ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried plum flowers
- 1 cup hot water
- instructions
- steep flowers in hot water for 10 minutes.
- strain and drink warm.
- use once daily in the evening.
- uses
- mildly calming, used in traditional practices to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. the floral infusion is gentle and safe for most people.
- high potential for highland magic