logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Greengage Plum

Prunus domestica italica

Prunus domestica italica Prunus domestica italica

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.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

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, Bullace Plum, 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, 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, scrub, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
White flowers with 5 petals.
Fruit:
Yellowish-green, round cherries, between 2 and 4cm in diameter.
Leaves:
Simple, ovate, dark green, toothed leaves.
Other Names:
Greengage, Italian Prune Plum.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Damson
Damson

Bullace Plum

Wild Plum
Wild Plum

Other Information

Summary

Prunus domestica italica, also known as Italian prune plum, is a cultivar of the European plum (Prunus domestica) from the rose family (Rosaceae). It is a deciduous tree that is cultivated for its fruit, which is used for making jams, jellies, and other preserves. The fruit is a small, round, dark purple or 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. This cultivar is a self-fertile, it's a good choice for a small backyard orchard. The tree is hardy and adaptable to different soil types and it is also drought tolerant. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens due to its showy flowers.

Blog

The Greengage Plum tree, or Prunus domestica italica, is a small to medium-sized fruit tree that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the Rosaceae family, which includes other well-known fruit trees such as apples, cherries, and pears. The Greengage Plum tree is known for its sweet and juicy fruits that have a unique and delicate flavor. In this blog, we will explore the history, cultivation, and culinary uses of the Greengage Plum tree.

History

The Greengage Plum tree has a long and interesting history that dates back to the 17th century. It is believed to have originated in France, but it was first cultivated in England in the early 18th century. The fruit was named after Sir William Gage, a noted horticulturist who was responsible for introducing the Greengage Plum to England. The fruit quickly became popular among the upper classes and was even mentioned in Jane Austen's novel "Mansfield Park."

Cultivation

The Greengage Plum tree is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. The tree is self-fertile, which means it doesn't require another tree for pollination. It produces small, fragrant, white flowers in the spring, which are followed by the fruit in the summer. The fruit is small to medium-sized and has a greenish-yellow skin with a slightly translucent flesh. The fruit is ready to be harvested in late summer or early fall.

Culinary Uses

The Greengage Plum is prized for its unique flavor and is often used in culinary dishes. The fruit is sweet and juicy with a slightly tart taste, making it perfect for desserts, jams, and jellies. The fruit is also used to make brandy, liqueurs, and other alcoholic beverages. In addition, the leaves of the Greengage Plum tree are sometimes used in teas or as a flavoring for baked goods.

The Greengage Plum tree is a beautiful and delicious fruit tree that has a rich history and culinary tradition. Its sweet and delicate flavor makes it a popular choice for desserts and other culinary dishes. If you're interested in growing your own fruit trees, the Greengage Plum tree is an excellent choice that is relatively easy to cultivate and maintain. With its beautiful white flowers, delicious fruit, and interesting history, the Greengage Plum tree is sure to be a delightful addition to any garden.

More Information...

In addition to its culinary uses, the Greengage Plum tree has also been used for medicinal purposes. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which have been shown to have various health benefits, such as improving immune function and reducing inflammation. The fruit has also been used as a natural laxative due to its high fiber content.

The Greengage Plum tree is also a popular choice for landscaping due to its attractive appearance. The tree has a dense and compact growth habit, making it ideal for small gardens or as a specimen tree. The tree's foliage turns a beautiful golden-yellow in the fall, adding a splash of color to the landscape.

When it comes to pruning, the Greengage Plum tree requires minimal maintenance. It is recommended to prune the tree in the late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased wood and to promote new growth. Thinning out the branches can also improve fruit quality by allowing more sunlight and air circulation to reach the fruit.

The Greengage Plum tree is not only a delicious and attractive fruit tree but also an important cultural symbol in many countries. In France, the fruit is known as "Reine Claude" and is named after Queen Claude of France, who was known for her love of the fruit. In England, the fruit is often referred to as "The Green Gage," and its popularity led to the creation of the phrase "as merry as a green gage" to describe a happy and carefree attitude.

The Greengage Plum tree is also a popular subject in art and literature. The famous French painter, Henri Matisse, painted a still life of the fruit in his signature Fauvist style, while the poet William Carlos Williams wrote a poem entitled "The Green Gage Plum."

Overall, the Greengage Plum tree is a fascinating and valuable fruit tree that has a long and interesting history. Whether used in culinary dishes, as a medicinal herb, or as a landscaping feature, this tree continues to be cherished and appreciated by people around the world.

Facts about the Greengage Plum tree

30 Facts about the Greengage Plum Tree:

  1. The Greengage Plum tree is native to Europe and Asia.
  2. The tree belongs to the Rosaceae family.
  3. The fruit is named after Sir William Gage, who introduced the fruit to England.
  4. The fruit has a unique and delicate flavor.
  5. The tree can grow up to 20 feet tall.
  6. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
  7. The tree is self-fertile and doesn't require another tree for pollination.
  8. The fruit is small to medium-sized with greenish-yellow skin and translucent flesh.
  9. The fruit is ready to be harvested in late summer or early fall.
  10. The fruit is used to make brandy, liqueurs, and other alcoholic beverages.
  11. The leaves of the Greengage Plum tree are sometimes used in teas or as a flavoring for baked goods.
  12. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
  13. The fruit has been used as a natural laxative due to its high fiber content.
  14. The Greengage Plum tree is a popular choice for landscaping due to its attractive appearance.
  15. The tree has a dense and compact growth habit.
  16. The tree's foliage turns a beautiful golden-yellow in the fall.
  17. The tree requires minimal maintenance.
  18. Pruning is recommended in late winter or early spring.
  19. Thinning out the branches can improve fruit quality.
  20. The fruit is popular in France, where it is known as "Reine Claude."
  21. The fruit is often referred to as "The Green Gage" in England.
  22. The popularity of the fruit led to the creation of the phrase "as merry as a green gage."
  23. The Greengage Plum tree is a popular subject in art and literature.
  24. Henri Matisse painted a still life of the fruit in his signature Fauvist style.
  25. The poet William Carlos Williams wrote a poem entitled "The Green Gage Plum."
  26. The fruit has been used in culinary dishes for centuries.
  27. The fruit is sweet and juicy with a slightly tart taste.
  28. The fruit is often used in desserts, jams, and jellies.
  29. The Greengage Plum tree is an important cultural symbol in many countries.
  30. The tree continues to be cherished and appreciated by people around the world.

Summary

The Greengage Plum tree is a small to medium-sized fruit tree native to Europe and Asia. The fruit has a unique and delicate flavor and is used to make brandy, liqueurs, and other alcoholic beverages. The leaves are sometimes used in teas or as a flavoring for baked goods. The tree is popular for landscaping due to its attractive appearance and requires minimal maintenance. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and has been used as a natural laxative due to its high fiber content. The tree is an important cultural symbol in many countries and continues to be cherished and appreciated by people around the world.