How to identify Chinese plum (Prunus salicina)

How to identify Chinese plum (Prunus salicina)

Chinese plum is a petite deciduous tree known for its springtime floral display, producing an abundance of blossoms before leaf emergence. These flowers are characteristically white or pink. The tree exhibits a broad canopy and its glossy green leaves typically develop to a length of 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12 cm). Come summertime, chinese plum is adorned with succulent drupes which are commonly consumed fresh. The fruit possesses a smooth skin, varying in color from yellow to red, and encases a single hard pit. The fruits mature to harvest in the warmer months, with a size range of about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) in diameter.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Chinese plum

Petite deciduous tree with abundant white or pink blossoms before leaves emerge.

Leaves are glossy green, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, serrated, and ovate to elliptic.

Fruit is a smooth-skinned drupe, red to yellow, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) in diameter.

Flowers have 5 white star-shaped petals, 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, with yellow stamens.

Distinctive mild fragrance attracts pollinators, marking start of growing season.

Detailed Traits of Chinese plum

Leaf Features

Chinese plum leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, exhibiting a serrated margin along the edges. These leaves are typically ovate to elliptic in shape, with a slightly glossy upper surface that showcases a bright green hue. The undersides are paler and less shiny. The leaf texture is smooth with a subtle firm feel, and the vein pattern is pinnate, with prominent midrib and lateral veins forming a distinct hierarchical structure.

Leaf Shape

Ovate ,

Obovate

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Leaf Texture

Coriaceous

Leaf Margin

Undulate

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Flower Features

The blossoms of chinese plum are predominantly white and feature five delicately arranged petals. Each flower typically spans about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. During the spring, these flowers emerge, often before the leaves, creating a visually striking display. The petals' arrangement forms a star-like shape, encircling a cluster of yellow stamens. The flowers of chinese plum are known for their mild, pleasant fragrance, which attracts pollinators such as bees. This bloom period marks the beginning of the growing season for the plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of chinese plum is a succulent drupe, ranging from red to purple, with dimensions of approximately 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) in diameter. Its flesh presents a tantalizing yellow-pink hue, offering a juicy texture upon consumption. These fruits are prominent during the summer season, ripening to reveal their vibrant coloration and inviting taste. The skin of the drupe is typically smooth, encapsulating the soft, edible flesh that surrounds a singular, hard seed at its core.

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Chinese plum and Their Similar Plants

Sweet cherry vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Sweet cherry is a well-known species to fruit lovers worldwide. This stone fruit varies in flavor from sweet to tart, depending on the specific cultivar. Sweet cherry is also used for lumber and is a preferred wood type for furniture.

Cherry plum vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) is a deciduous small tree or shrub native to Southern Europe and Western Asia. It is one of the most common wild fruits of its native region, producing numerous rounded, yellow, red, or burgundy-colored sweet juicy fruit in summer and autumn. Cherry plum is also used as an ornamental tree and as rootstock for other Prunus species.

Black cherry vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a medium-sized, deciduous forest tree native to the Americas, but also naturalized in parts of Europe. It features inflorescence with small white blooms that become clusters of dark cherries, edible when pitted. Mature trees have gray-to-black, distinctly crackled bark. The glossy leaves are poisonous to livestock. It is a highly reproductive pioneer species with invasive potential.

European plum vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Prunus domestica is a small deciduous tree and the most common orchard plum in Europe and other regions of the world. It is a hybrid species that had most likely evolved from the wild Cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera. The fruit is elongated, fleshy, and usually sweet. Dried fruits of european plum are called prunes.

Peach vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Peach is native to Northwest China. China, Spain, and Italy are the top three producers of peaches world-wide. The peach is also the state fruit of Georgia. Peach production in the US in 2017 was valued at $599 million. The fruit has a yellow or white flesh, a sweet aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines).

Cherry laurel vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is an evergreen species of cherry, commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is a shrub or a small tree with characteristic glossy, dark green leaves with a leathery texture. Leaves and seeds of cherry laurel contain toxic compounds, which can cause serious poisoning if ingested.

Japanese cherry vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

The japanese cherry tradition, called Hanami, where people have picnics and outdoor parties under these trees, is a popular attraction. The excellent spring colors of the Prunus serrulata tree attract butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Its showy pink and white flowers are in full bloom in early to mid-spring, and some are fragrant.

Common chokecherry vs. Chinese plum: What's The Difference?

Prunus virginiana, commonly known as common chokecherry, is a deciduous small tree or suckering shrub often confused with chokeberry, due to similarities in the looks of their fruits. The fruits of both species are known for their rich antioxidant content. Common chokecherry plays an important ecological role as a larval host for numerous moth species.

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Key Facts About Chinese plum

Attributes of Chinese plum

Spread

4.5 m to 9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

1.5 cm to 2 cm

Flower Color

White

Fruit Color

Yellow

Red

Purple

Gold

Pink

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Chinese plum

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Prunus

Species

Chinese plum (Prunus salicina)

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Distribution Map of Chinese plum

Chinese plum is native to temperate regions of East Asia, where it thrives in a broad range spanning from the southeastern areas of the Asian continent to its eastern edge. The plant has been introduced and is cultivated in parts of Central Asia and South America, as well as in countries that lay on both sides of the Pacific, stretching its presence from the northeastern to the southeastern extremities of Asia.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese plum How to Grow and Care for Chinese plum