plum tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Damson plum
• European plum
• Wild Plum
• Bullace plum
• Gage
• Gardalu
• Garden plum
• Greengage
• Plum
• Prune plum
• Yellow plum
• Zwispeln
• common plum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Prunus amygdalina
• Prunus cereola
• Prunus communis var. domestica
• Prunus communis subsp. domestica
• Prunus insititia subsp. claudiana
• Prunus italica f. plantieri
• Prunus maliformis
• Prunus spinosa var. domestica
• Prunus spinosa subsp. cyclopetala
• Prunus sativa proles vapincensis
• Prunus sativa proles gymnoclada
• Prunus insititia subsp. armenioides
• Prunus sativa var. subvestita
• Prunus communis proles elegans
• Prunus communis proles intermedia
• Prunus subrotunda
• Prunus communis subvar. platyphylla
• Prunus communis pyaeidicalyx
• Prunus communis rusticana
• Prunus communis subvar. stenophylla
• Prunus communis subvar. subnuda
• Prunus communis subuniflora
• Prunus communis subvar. subvestita
• Prunus communis aniflora
• Prunus varactensis
• Prunus virescens
• Prunus enucleata
• Prunus communis dulcis
• Prunus communis proles congesta
• Prunus communis elegans
• Prunus communis intermedia
• Prunus communis gymnoclada
• Persica domestica var. vinosa
• Druparia prunus
• Prunus domestica subsp. cerasiferoflora
• Prunus rubescens
• Prunus sanctae-catharinae
• Prunus domestica var. catharinea
• Prunus domestica var. amygdalina
• Prunus domestica var. aubertiana
• Prunus domestica var. augustana
• Prunus domestica plantieri
• Prunus domestica var. armenioides
• Prunus domestica var. erratica
• Prunus domestica var. galatensis
• Prunus erubescens
• Prunus galatensis
• Prunus latifolia
• Prunus augustana
• Persica domestica var. thovinii
• Persica domestica var. albida
• Persica domestica var. suaveolens
• Persica domestica var. verrucosa
• Prunus oxycarpa
• Prunus communis proles gymnoclada
• Prunus vapincensis
• Prunus vinaria
• Prunus spinosa subsp. domestica
• Prunus domestica var. spinosocerasiferoflora
• Prunus perdigona
• Prunus domestica var. cerasiferospinosiflora
• Prunus domestica subsp. spinosiflora
• Prunus oeconomica var. sylvestris
• Prunus polymorpha damascena
• Prunus polymorpha domestica
• Prunus pyramidalis
• Prunus rosiflora
• Prunus sativa proles intermedia
• Prunus sativa proles latifolia
• Prunus sativa subvar. nudipes
• Prunus sativa proles porcorum
• Prunus sativa var. praecociflora
• Prunus sativa proles pruna
• Prunus sativa subvar. puberipes
• Prunus sativa proles rosiflora
• Prunus sativa proles rubescens
• Prunus sativa proles sanctae-catharinae
• Prunus sativa proles saxicola
• Prunus sativa proles sepivaga
• Prunus sativa var. subnuda
• Prunus sativa proles silvatica
• Prunus sativa proles silvestris
• Prunus sativa proles varactensis
• Prunus sativa proles virescens
• Prunus saxicola
• Prunus sepivaga
• Prunus sativa proles elegans
• Prunus sativa proles erubescens
• Prunus sativa subsp. ambigua
• Prunus sativa proles arvernensis
• Prunus sativa proles ballota
• Prunus sativa proles cerasiflora
• Prunus sativa proles congestiflora
• Prunus sativa subsp. domestica
• Prunus sativa proles dulcis
• Prunus silvatica
• Prunus silvestris
• Prunus domestica var. acinaria
• Prunus domestica var. alpina-orientalis
• Prunus domestica var. brignola
• Prunus domestica subsp. bisacuminata
• Prunus cyclopetala
• Prunus communis vulgatior
• Prunus communis porcorum
• Prunus communis subvar. praecociflora
• Prunus communis f. puberidens
• Prunus communis puberipes
• Prunus communis subbiflora
• Prunus domestica var. subrotunda
• Prunus domestica subsp. praecox
• Prunus domestica subsp. prisca
• Prunus domestica var. pruneauliana
• Prunus domestica subsp. pseudoitalica
• Prunus domestica var. pyramidalis
• Prunus domestica subsp. rotunda
• Prunus domestica var. sativa
• Prunus domestica vulgaris
• Prunus domestica var. sussina
• Prunus domestica var. sylvestris
• Prunus domestica subsp. versicolor
• Prunus domestica var. vinaria
• Prunus domestica var. norica
• Prunus domestica var. oblonga
• Prunus domestica subsp. ovalis
• Prunus domestica var. longipedicellata
• Prunus domestica var. maliformis
• Prunus domestica maliformis
• Prunus domestica var. mamillaris
• Prunus domestica subsp. mamillaris
• Prunus domestica var. mammillaris
• Prunus domestica var. oxycarpa
• Prunus domestica var. pernicona
• Prunus domestica f. plantieri
• Prunus domestica subsp. intermedia
• Prunus domestica var. cereola
• Prunus domestica var. claudiana
• Prunus domestica var. culinaria
• Prunus domestica var. cyanocarpa
• Prunus domestica var. cyclopetala
• Prunus domestica subsp. cyclopetala
• Prunus domestica var. damascena
• Prunus claudiana
• Prunus communis congestiflora
• Prunus communis nudipes
• Prunus communis f. nudisepala
• Prunus cerasiflora
• Prunus ballota
• Persica domestica var. fragrans
• Persica domestica var. hyemalis
• Persica domestica var. lutea
• Persica domestica var. nana
• Persica domestica var. oblonga
• Persica domestica var. ponderosa
• Persica domestica var. prunus
• Persica domestica var. rotundata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Prunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. It can also be found growing within the borders of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is established in Austria. Finally, its geographical range extends to include Belgium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus domestica is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, being widely distributed across various landscapes. It exhibits a broad altitudinal tolerance, occupying ecological niches that span from sea level up to an elevation of 2900 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range allows the species to thrive in a multitude of climatic zones and topographical settings, ranging from lowland plains to significant mountain elevations.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

widely distributed

Life history

The life history of Prunus domestica is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist and reproduce over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically branches that extend well above the ground level. This life form is further defined by its deciduous nature, meaning the plant undergoes a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage annually in response to environmental changes or colder temperatures. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a deciduous growth habit ensures its survival and adaptation within its natural ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus domestica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, growing independently rather than as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant's stature is notable, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 6.8335 m. Its structural development is entirely self-supporting, lacking any climbing, vine, or liana characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6.8335 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus domestica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of temperate woody species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate light and temperature conditions. As a non-carnivorous organism, the plant relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through soil uptake and photosynthesis rather than capturing prey. The morphology of its foliage plays a critical role in its gas exchange and light interception; the leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with a mean leaf length of 7 cm and a minimum of 4 cm, reaching a maximum length of up to 10 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean width of 3.75 cm. These dimensions facilitate a balanced surface area for transpiration and photosynthetic activity within its physiological framework.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.75 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus domestica is characterized by a strictly sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent and self-fertilization is also noted to be absent, necessitating cross-pollination. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of April, featuring flowers that range in length from 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. Pollination is achieved through biotic mechanisms, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces a fleshy, indehiscent fruit classified as a drupe. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length and width of 1.75 cm, while maximum dimensions can reach 2.5 cm in both length and width, and minimum dimensions are approximately 1 cm. The dispersal of the species follows a zoochorous pattern, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fruit and disperse the seeds. The seeds contained within the drupe exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.54581 g, with a range between 0.22672 g and 1.01515 g, and a consistent seed volume of 590 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower length max:

1.5 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

1.01515 g

Seed mass mean:

0.54581 g

Seed mass min:

0.22672 g

Seed volume max:

590 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prunus domestica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Prunus domestica has 130 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Proanthocyanidin, ANTHOCYANIN, Flavonoids, proline, ALUMINUM.

Proanthocyanidin

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

ANTHOCYANIN

1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Nutrients
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

proline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Anthocyanins

1. Nutrients

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BARIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Prunus domestica has 661 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, AntiBPH, Anticarcinogenic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
4. Pharmaceutical biology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
3. Pharmaceutical biology

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticarcinogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Cardioprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Immunostimulant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fish & shellfish immunology

Conditions

Prunus domestica has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Liver cancer, Yersinia ruckeri, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidant.

Liver cancer

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Yersinia ruckeri

1. Fish & shellfish immunology

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antihypertensive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Myocardial infarction

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Plum pox virus

1. Acta virologica

Stroke

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Prunus domestica has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Jujube syrup, acetone extract, chloroform, ethanol extract, ethyl acetate.

Jujube syrup

1. Dermatologic therapy

Acetone extract

1. BioMed research international

Chloroform

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethanol extract

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethyl acetate

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences