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products
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type: deciduous fruit tree of the rosaceae family
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properties
- root: moderately deep root system, fibrous and branching. benefits from well-aerated soils
- stem: straight trunk with rough grey-brown bark. branches spread outward
- leaf: alternate, ovate to oblong, 4–10 cm long, serrated edge, deep green
- Leaf Length: 4–10 cm
- flower: white, five-petaled, borne in clusters in early spring before leaves appear
- fruit: drupe (plum), oval or round (3–8 cm), skin varies from yellow to purple, flesh sweet or tart with a hard seed
- bark: rough, grey-brown, occasionally used in traditional medicine
- timber: dense, moderately hard, fine-textured, used in crafts and tool handles
- Environment: prefers temperate climates with cold winters and warm summers, fertile, well-drained soils
- Climate: temperate with chill periods for flowering and fruiting. tolerates some drought once established
- Sun: 600–900 W/m²
- No Sun Days: 10–20 days
- Water: 800–1200 mm/year
- No Water Days: 30–45 days
- Humidity: 40–70 %
- Fog Resistance: 7–10 days
- Max Temp: 38 °C
- Optimal Temp: 18–26 °C
- Min Temp: –20 °C
- Wind Damage: strong-dry, cold-snap, hail
- Soil: well-drained loamy soil with moderate fertility. sensitive to waterlogging
- Soil Ph: 6.0–7.5
- Soil Type: loamy, sandy-loam, silty-loam
- Spacing: 4–6 m between trees depending on variety and pruning method
- Climate: temperate with chill periods for flowering and fruiting. tolerates some drought once established
- lifecycle
- Longevity: 30–50 years
- Germination: seeds germinate in 30–60 days after stratification (cold treatment). usually grafted for production
- Seedling: slow in first year, prefers filtered sun and moist, well-aerated soil
- Mature: begins flowering and fruiting 3–5 years after planting (grafted), with annual harvests
- Death: productivity declines after 25–35 years; root diseases and borer insects can accelerate death
- features: deciduous, edible fruit, attract pollinators, cold-hardy, spring-flowering
- layer: canopy, sub-canopy
- products: fresh plum, dried plum (prunes), juice, jam, vinegar, seed oil, leaf infusion, bark decoction, timber
- chemical compounds
compound plant part % amount description dietary fiber fruit (fresh) ~2–4% promotes digestion and gut motility sorbitol fruit ~5–10% sugar alcohol with mild laxative effect vitamin c fruit ~5–10 mg/100g antioxidant, supports immune health anthocyanins fruit skin ~0.1–0.5% pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties chlorogenic acid fruit ~0.1–0.2% antioxidant, supports metabolic function cyanogenic glycosides seed, bark ~0.05–0.1% potential toxicity, traditional use in controlled dosages tannins leaf, bark ~3–7% astringent, antimicrobial, used in folk medicine flavonoids leaf, fruit ~0.5–1% antioxidant, supports capillary strength and anti-inflammatory actions essential oils flower trace <0.1% aromatic compounds with calming and pollinator-attracting effects lignin, cellulose timber ~50–70% structural polymers in woody tissue used in crafts and tools - operations
- propagate plants: typically grafted onto rootstock for uniformity and early fruiting. seedlings require stratification
- maintenance: annual winter pruning to shape and encourage fruiting wood. mulch and composting recommended. control fungal leaf spots
- harvest:
- fruit: harvested when firm-ripe and aromatic, ripening varies with cultivar
- leaves: used in traditional teas for constipation and blood sugar regulation
- bark: sometimes decocted for digestive and respiratory treatments
- timber: obtained from pruned or old trees, used in small woodwork and tools
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traditional medicine recipes
prune decoction for constipation and digestion
- ingredients
- 5–7 dried prunes
- 2 cups of water
- instructions
- soak the prunes in water overnight.
- in the morning, boil the mixture for 10–15 minutes.
- strain and let cool slightly.
- drink 1 cup in the morning on an empty stomach.
- uses
- traditionally used as a natural laxative for relieve constipation. prunes are rich in sorbitol and dietary fiber, which promote bowel movements and digestive health.
- ingredients
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plum bark tea for diarrhea
- ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried plum bark (shredded)
- 1.5 cups of water
- instructions
- boil the bark in water for 15 minutes.
- strain and cool.
- drink 1/2 cup, 2 times per day until symptoms subside.
- uses
- used in folk medicine to treat mild diarrhea and intestinal inflammation due to the astringent tannins in the bark.
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fresh plum juice for liver and skin health
- ingredients
- 4–5 ripe plums
- optional: a few mint leaves
- instructions
- wash and remove seeds from the plums.
- blend the pulp with 1/2 cup of water until smooth.
- strain (optional) and drink once daily.
- uses
- consumed to support liver function and skin clarity due to the antioxidant compounds like vitamin c and phenolics.
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plum leaf compress for skin rashes and inflammation
- ingredients
- 6–8 fresh plum leaves
- a small amount of warm water
- instructions
- crush the leaves into a coarse paste.
- apply directly to irritated or inflamed skin.
- cover with a clean cloth or gauze.
- leave for 20–30 minutes, then rinse gently.
- uses
- used topically to reduce inflammation and soothe rashes. plum leaves contain tannins and chlorogenic acid, which have calming and antimicrobial properties.
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plum flower infusion for relaxation
- ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried plum flowers
- 1 cup hot water
- instructions
- steep flowers in hot water for 10 minutes.
- strain and drink warm.
- use once daily in the evening.
- uses
- mildly calming, used in traditional practices to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. the floral infusion is gentle and safe for most people.
- ingredients
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high potential for highland magic