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Bullace Plum

Prunus insititia

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
6 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, hedgerows, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of solitary white flowers. Insect-pollinated.
Fruit:
Oval-shaped fruit which can be white, yellow, red, green, blue, purple or black. 3cm in diameter. The fruit appears in September and October.
Leaves:
The dark green leaves are oval and shiny. They have finely serrated margins. The leaves alternate along the branches. The Bullace Plum can be a deciduous or evergreen tree or shrub. Sometimes it has thorny branches.
Other Names:
Bullace, Damson, Damson Plum, Mirabelle, Wild Bullace, Wintercrack, Wintercrack Plum.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Similar Species

Damson
Damson

Greengage Plum
Greengage Plum

Wild Plum
Wild Plum

Other Information

Summary

Prunus insititia, also known as damson, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub from the rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to Europe and Western Asia and it is cultivated for its fruit, which is used in jams, jellies, and other preserves. The fruit is a small, oval-shaped, purple-black drupe with a yellowish flesh. The leaves are simple, oval or oblong, with serrated edges and are dark green in color. The flowers are small, white or pinkish, and produced in clusters before the leaves appear. The tree is hardy and can grow in a wide range of soils, it is also drought tolerant. Damson can also be used as ornamental plant in gardens.

Blog

The Bullace Plum tree, scientifically known as Prunus insititia, is a deciduous fruit tree that is native to Western Asia and Europe. It is a close relative of the more common European plum tree, but it has some unique characteristics that make it stand out.

The Bullace Plum tree can grow up to 6 meters tall and has a broad, spreading canopy. Its leaves are oval-shaped and have a serrated edge, while its bark is dark brown and rough to the touch. The tree produces small, round fruits that are similar in appearance to plums, but they have a slightly more elongated shape.

Bullace plums are usually dark purple or blue in color and have a sweet, tangy flavor. They are often used in the production of jams, jellies, and other preserves. The fruits are also popular in baking, where they can be used in cakes, pies, and other desserts.

One of the unique characteristics of the Bullace Plum tree is its hardiness. It can withstand cold temperatures and is often grown in areas with harsh winters. The tree is also resistant to many common diseases and pests, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.

The Bullace Plum tree is also known for its ornamental value. It produces beautiful white or pink blossoms in the spring, which can add a splash of color to any landscape. The tree's foliage turns yellow in the fall, adding to its visual appeal.

If you're considering planting a Bullace Plum tree in your garden, there are a few things to keep in mind. The tree prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight, although it can tolerate some shade. It also needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods.

Bullace Plum trees are often grown in orchards and can produce fruit for up to 50 years. They are usually harvested in late summer or early fall, depending on the climate and location. The fruit is ripe when it is soft to the touch and has a slightly wrinkled skin.

One of the advantages of Bullace Plums is that they are high in vitamins and antioxidants. They contain high levels of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which can help improve digestion and boost the immune system. The antioxidants in the fruit also have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Bullace Plum trees can be propagated by seed or by grafting onto a rootstock. However, seed-grown trees may not produce the same quality of fruit as grafted trees. Grafting is a common method used to produce trees with desirable traits, such as disease resistance or high fruit yields.

The Bullace Plum tree has a long history of cultivation, dating back to ancient times. It was introduced to Britain by the Romans and was widely grown during the Middle Ages. The fruit was often used to make a popular alcoholic drink called "bullace wine."

Today, Bullace Plums are less commonly grown than other varieties of plum, but they are still appreciated by those who enjoy their unique flavor and hardiness. They are often found in farmers' markets and specialty food stores, where they are prized by chefs and home cooks alike.

Another interesting fact about the Bullace Plum tree is that it has a close relationship with the wild cherry tree. The Bullace Plum is actually a hybrid between the wild cherry and the European plum. This is why the Bullace Plum is sometimes referred to as the "cherry plum."

The Bullace Plum tree has also been used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. The fruit, leaves, and bark of the tree have all been used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, sore throats, and skin conditions.

In addition to its culinary and medicinal uses, the Bullace Plum tree has cultural significance in some regions. In England, for example, there is a tradition of wassailing Bullace Plum trees in orchards to encourage a good harvest.

Wassailing is a form of traditional celebration where people gather in orchards and sing songs while drinking a spiced alcoholic drink called wassail. The purpose of wassailing is to bless the trees and encourage a bountiful harvest in the coming year. This tradition has been passed down for generations and is still observed in some parts of England today.

In conclusion, the Bullace Plum tree is a unique and valuable fruit tree that has a rich history and many interesting characteristics. Whether you're interested in its culinary uses, medicinal properties, or cultural significance, the Bullace Plum tree is a fascinating subject to explore. If you're considering planting one in your garden, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful and hardy tree that produces delicious fruit and adds beauty to your landscape.

List of Facts about the Bullace Plum

Facts about the Bullace Plum Tree:

  1. Scientific name: Prunus insititia
  2. Native to Western Asia and Europe
  3. Produces small, sweet and tangy fruits that are similar to plums
  4. Resistant to many common diseases and pests
  5. Hardy and can withstand cold temperatures
  6. Ornamental value due to beautiful white or pink blossoms in the spring and yellow foliage in the fall
  7. High in vitamins and antioxidants, which can help improve digestion and boost the immune system
  8. Can be propagated by seed or by grafting onto a rootstock
  9. Has a long history of cultivation, dating back to ancient times
  10. Used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine

The Bullace Plum tree is a hardy and low-maintenance fruit tree that produces sweet and tangy fruits. It has ornamental value and is high in vitamins and antioxidants. The tree can be propagated by seed or grafting and has a long history of cultivation. It has been used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine and has cultural significance in some regions.