Species
Prunus x domestica
Common Name(s)
plum
Family
Rosaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs
Habitat
Terrestrial. Near human settlements, waste places and forest margins
Features
Deciduous small tree up to about 6 m tall, sometimes forming thickets, usually not armed. Leaves up to 70 x 45 mm on petiole of 15-30 mm. Leaf margins serrulate, lamina hairy at frost and with at least some hairs remaining when mature. White or greenish-white flowers in small clusters. Fruit (plums) to about 45 mm long, green, yellow, red or blackish purple (both flesh and skin) with a smooth stone.
Similar Taxa
The young shoots dull and hairy, mature leaves usually with at least some hairs on major veins and lower part of margin distinguish this species. There is considerable variation in the fruit of cultivated specimens.
Flowering
August, September
Flower Colours
Green,White
Fruiting
January, February
Year Naturalised
1922
Origin
Cultivated hybrid
Reason For Introduction
Agricultural
Reproduction
Can sucker to form small thickets, spread is predominantly by seed.
Seed
Viable seed in each plum.
Dispersal
people, birds.
Tolerances
Can tolerate strong frosts.
This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010