Prunus mume

Prunus mume is a species of East Asian flowering tree highly valued for its early, fragrant blossoms and its versatile fruit. It is widely cultivated across China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, where it holds deep cultural and horticultural importance. The tree is celebrated in art, poetry, and festivals, and its fruit is used to produce a variety of culinary and medicinal products.

Description

*Prunus mume* is a deciduous tree that can reach heights of 4–10 meters. It possesses distinctive dark gray bark and slender, often spiny, branches. The leaves are broadly ovate with a serrated margin, emerging a bronzy purple before maturing to a dark green. The flowers, which appear in late winter before the leaves, are typically five-petaled, ranging in color from pure white to deep pink and red, and are renowned for their intense, sweet fragrance. The fruit is a drupe, resembling a small apricot, with a groove running from the stalk to the tip; it ripens to a yellow color with a sour, tangy flavor.

Cultivation and uses

Cultivation of *Prunus mume* has a long history, particularly in China, where it has been grown for over two millennia. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, and is propagated through grafting or from seed. The primary commercial use is for its fruit, known as *ume* in Japan and *mei* in China. The unripe, green fruit is harvested and processed in several ways: it is pickled with salt to make *umeboshi*, soaked in alcohol and sugar to create *ume liqueur*, or used to make *ume vinegar*. In traditional Chinese medicine, preparations from the fruit are used for their purported digestive and anti-microbial properties. The wood is also valued for its hardness and is used in crafting utensils and decorative items.

Cultural significance

The blossom of *Prunus mume* is one of the most iconic symbols in East Asian culture, representing perseverance, hope, and renewal as it flowers amidst the winter snow. It is celebrated as one of the "Three Friends of Winter" alongside the pine and bamboo. In China, it is a beloved subject in poetry and painting, famously depicted by artists like Wang Mian of the Yuan dynasty. In Japan, the viewing of its blossoms, called *umemi*, is a traditional pastime, and the tree is celebrated at places like Kairaku-en garden in Mito. The flower is also the official emblem of several cities, including Nanjing in China, and features prominently in the insignia of the Order of the Paulownia and other institutions.

Varieties and cultivars

Hundreds of cultivars have been developed, primarily selected for ornamental blossom traits or fruit characteristics. Ornamental cultivars are often classified by their flower form, such as single, semi-double, or double-petaled, and by color. Notable ornamental groups include the *Yabai* (wild type), *Hibai* (red-blossomed), and *Bungo* varieties, the latter originating from Bungo Province. Famous named cultivars include 'Kobai', with deep pink flowers, and 'Alba Plena', a double white form. For fruit production, cultivars are selected for size, flavor, and harvest time, with major groups in Japan including *Nankō-ume* and *Gojiro-ume*.

Ecology

*Prunus mume* is native to mountainous regions of southwestern China, around the Yangtze River basin, but has been naturalized in many parts of East Asia. It typically grows in forested slopes and valleys. The early blossoms provide a crucial nectar and pollen source for pollinators such as bees, including the Asian honey bee, and various species of moths when few other flowers are available. The tree can be susceptible to several fungal diseases, including blossom blight and leaf curl, and pests like aphids and scale insects. It is a host plant for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the peach blossom moth.

Category:Flora of China Category:Flora of Japan Category:Prunus