Prunus salicina
| Prunus salicina | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Width: | 33' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus salicina (common name: japanese plum)
Propagation: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[3][1].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[1].
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[3][1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[4]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3][1].
This species does not grow well in Britain, the summers are not warm enough to properly ripen the wood and the springs are too unpredictable for the flowers to be fertilized[3].
An important temperate fruit tree, it is widely cultivated in China and other regions of Asia for its edible fruit, and is being increasingly grown in N. America[5]. There are several named varieties[6][7][8].
This species does not cross-pollinate with the English plum, P. domestica[1].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[9].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Sparse forests, forest margins, scrub, along trails in mountains, beside streams in valleys, thickets at elevations of 200 - 2600 metres[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[6][10][11][12]. The fruit ripens early[13]. A unique taste[13]. Sweet and juicy, it can be eaten out of hand, made into pies, preserves etc, or be dried for later use[8]. The fruit is very resistant to rotting[13]. The plum-shaped fruit is up to 7cm long and contains one large seed[1].
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: The fruit is stomachic[14]. It is said to be good for allaying thirst and is given in the treatment of arthritis[14].
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[9].
Usage: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[15].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[15].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and
Also Known As: P. triflora.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.