The Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera, syn. P. divaricata), also called Myrobalan Plum, is a species of plum native to central and eastern Europe, southwest and central Asia.

It is a large shrub or small tree reaching 6-15 m tall, with deciduous leaves 4-6 cm long. It is one of the first European trees to flower in spring, often starting in mid February; the flowers are white, 1.5-2 cm across, with five petals. The fruit is a drupe 2-3 cm in diameter and yellow or red colour; it is edible, and reaches maturity from mid-August to mid-September.

Cultivation and uses

The fruit can be eaten fresh in some forms, being sweet with a good flavour, while others are sour, but excellent for jam making.

Myrobalan Plum is a speciality of the Lorraine region of northeast France, which, with about 15,000 tons per year has 70% of the world production.

There are two main cultivar groups grown for fruit production, derived from Cherry Plums grown in Nancy and Metz. The Metz type is smaller, less hard, sweeter and it has small red spots on the skin. It is very good for jam, while the Nancy type is better as fresh fruit. About 90% of the cherry plums produced are used to make conserves and jam (70%) and in brandy (20%).

Cherry Plum is also a very popular ornamental tree in gardens, grown for its very early flowering. Numerous cultivars have been developed, many of them selected for purple foliage and pink flowers, such as Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii' and 'Nigra'. These purple-foliage forms also have dark purple fruit, which make an attractive, intensely coloured jam. Others, such as 'Lindsayae', have pale pink flowers and green foliage.