Prunus domestica or the Common European Plum is a medium sized tree with reddish brown bark and oval to oblong shaped, serrated edged leaves, around 10cms long.
Pretty five petalled, white flowers appear in clusters through springtime which mature to small fruits around 8cms long and round to oval shaped. They have firm skins that are covered in a glaucous bloom and almond shaped, stony pits.
Fruit colours can vary quite a lot from purple through orange and yellow to green.
Plums are one of mankind's first cutlivated fruits, with this species most likely being a human managed hybrid because it is only found around areas of human habitation and never occurs in the wild.
Plums are a great staple food being wonderful to eat fresh picked from the tree, while also preserving extremely well in jams, compotes, jellies, juices and preserves.
They are packed with goodenss being a good source of vitamins C and K as well as dietary fibre.
Plums cook well in pies and puddings, while the fermented juice is made into alcoholic beverages like Plum Brandy and Slivovitz.