Prunus mume

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Prunus mume
Prunus mume blossoms
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus subg. Prunus
Section: Prunus sect. Armeniaca
Species:
P. mume
Binomial name
Prunus mume
(Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.
Synonyms
  • Armeniaca mume Siebold
  • Armeniaca mume var. alba Carrière
  • Armeniaca mume var. alphandii Carrière
  • Armeniaca mume var. pubicaulina C. Z. Qiao & H. M. Shen
  • Armeniaca mume f. pendula (Siebold) H. Ohba & S. Akiyama
  • Prunopsis mume (Siebold) André
  • Prunus makinoensis Lév.
  • Prunus mume formosana Masam. ex Kudô & Masam.
  • Prunus mume microcarpa Makino
  • Prunus mume var. alboplena L. H. Bailey
  • Prunus mume var. laciniata Maxim.
  • Prunus mume var. pendula Siebold
  • Prunus mume var. rosea Ingram
  • Prunus mume var. tonsa Rehder
  • Prunus mume f. alba (Carrière) Rehder
  • Prunus mume f. alboplena (L. H. Bailey) Rehder
  • Prunus mume f. alphandii (Carrière) Rehder

Prunus mume is a Chinese tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus subgenus Prunus. Its common names include Chinese plum,[2][3][4] Japanese plum,[5] and Japanese apricot. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting and poetry of Sinospheric countries (including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan), is usually called plum blossom.[6] This distinct tree species is related to both the plum and apricot trees.[7] Although generally referred to as a plum in English, it is more closely related to the apricot.[8] In East Asian cuisine (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisine), the fruit of the tree is used in juices, as a flavouring for alcohol, as a pickle, and in sauces. It is also used in traditional medicine.

The tree's flowering in late winter and early spring is highly regarded as a seasonal symbol.

Prunus mume should not be confused with Prunus salicina, a related species also grown in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Another tree, Prunus japonica, is also a separate species despite having a Latin name similar to Prunus mume's common name.

  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). Prunus mume. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T136775345A136775347. Downloaded on 24 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Prunus mume (mume)". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  3. ^ Tan, Hugh T.W.; Giam, Xingli (2008). Plant magic: auspicious and inauspicious plants from around the world. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. p. 142. ISBN 9789812614278.
  4. ^ Kuitert, Wybe; Peterse, Arie (1999). Japanese flowering cherries. Portland: Timber Press. p. 42. ISBN 9780881924688.
  5. ^ Yingsakmongkon, Sangchai; Miyamoto, Daisei; Sriwilaijaroen, Nongluk; Fujita, Kimie; Matsumoto, Kosai; Jampangern, Wipawee; Hiramatsu, Hiroaki; Guo, Chao-Tan; Sawada, Toshihiko; Takahashi, Tadanobu; Hidari, Kazuya; Suzuki, Takashi; Ito, Morihiro; Ito, Yasuhiko; Suzuki, Yasuo (2008). "In Vitro Inhibition of Human Influenza a Virus Infection by Fruit-Juice Concentrate of Japanese Plum (Prunus mume SIEB. Et ZUCC)". Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 31 (3): 511–515. doi:10.1248/bpb.31.511. PMID 18310920.
  6. ^ Fan, Chengda (2010). Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea (Translated ed.). Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. LV. ISBN 9780295990798.
  7. ^ Smith, Kim (2009). Oh garden of fresh possibilities!. New Hampshire: David R. Godine, Publisher. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-56792-330-8.
  8. ^ "Gardening". The Garden. 112: 224. 1987.