biodiverseed: The Birth of The Domestic Plum (Prunus domestica)The Mirabelles – which are iden
biodiverseed:The Birth of The Domestic Plum (Prunus domestica)The Mirabelles – which are identified here as cherry plums (Prunus cerasifera) – were at peak fertility here in Denmark about two weeks ago. As most of those blossoms have faded, I’ve noticed the sizeable local population of Sloe (Prunus spinosa) is now in full reproductive swing. These species are both native to Eurasia.There is a small period of blooming overlap between individuals of these species, depending on microclimate. This chance closeness is the window in which the domestic plum was likely born.From the union of these species – one tall and large-flowered with sweet fruit, and the other stout and small-flowered with sour fruit – have sprung at least seven subspecies, which include commonly-known types like damsons, bullaces, greengages, zwetschges, mirabelles, and egg plums. These range in colour from bright green to yellow, to crimson, to deep purple-blue.When Eurasian domestic plums arrived in North America, they were further hybridised with the local species like the Canadian plum (Prunus nigra), American plum (Prunus americana), and Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia), as these native species were found to be excellent pollinisers.Further, numerous hardy hybrids have also been developed between the latter species and Japanese Plums (Prunussalicina), and Chinese Plum (Prunus mume).Further complicating this mess of genetics, modern hybrids between closely-related plums and apricots (”Pluots” and “Apriums”) are also possible, and – as with the natural crosses between cherry plums and sloe probably happening right now in my neighbourhood – happen in nature when those two species grow in the same area.The more recent history of the plum is also the ethnobotanical history of our species’ migration, trade, and interaction.Long before our cross-continental meddling, all these species have a common ancestor somewhere: the progenitor of all species of Prunus (stone fruit) could be sussed out somewhere between taxonomy and paleobotany, and at that point, it’s worthwhile to note that these species are all in the same family as apples, pears, roses, strawberries, and raspberries (Rosaceae)!More on plant breeding. -- source link
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