157531 Plum - Prunus domestica ssp. domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. A small deciduous tree. BARK Dull brown, sometimes tinged purple, with deep fissures developing with age. BRANCHES Typically straight branches and usually with no spines; the twigs are brown and smooth. LEAVES Alternate, up to 8cm long, with toothed margins, a smooth green upper surface and a downy lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are mostly white or sometimes green-tinged, and hang in small clusters of 2–3 on a 1–2cm-long pedicel, opening at about the same time as the leaves in early spring. The fruits are up to 7.5cm long, rounded or more often oval, with a smooth skin which may be yellow, red, purple or even green when ripe.STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably a hybrid between Blackthorn and Cherry Plum, widely planted throughout Britain and Ireland and naturalised occasionally, nearly always near human habitation.
