Prunus domestica (proo’-nus doe-mes’-tik-a)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Key Steps
- 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 31d – Leaf is oval or oblong (twice as long as wide) — go to 40
- 40b – Leaf base symmetrical — go to 43
- 43b – Leaf margin not wavy or only slightly wavy; margin obviously toothed — go to 44
- 44b – Petiole is less than 1 inch long — go to 45
- 45b – Irregular pinnate venation; veins may curve slightly; usually splitting and forking near the leaf margin — go to 48
- 48b – Usually glands on petiole or base of leaf. Stem and buds not hairy — go to 50
- 50a – True terminal bud absent — go to 51
- 51b – Leaves green — go to 53
- 53b – Thornless. Not thicket forming — Domestic Plum
- 51b – Leaves green — go to 53
- 50a – True terminal bud absent — go to 51
- 48b – Usually glands on petiole or base of leaf. Stem and buds not hairy — go to 50
- 45b – Irregular pinnate venation; veins may curve slightly; usually splitting and forking near the leaf margin — go to 48
- 44b – Petiole is less than 1 inch long — go to 45
- 43b – Leaf margin not wavy or only slightly wavy; margin obviously toothed — go to 44
- 40b – Leaf base symmetrical — go to 43
- 31d – Leaf is oval or oblong (twice as long as wide) — go to 40
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
Description
Leaf: 2-4 inches long, irregular toothed margin. Usually has glands on petiole or leaf base. Dark green above, paler and hairy beneath. Stipules may persist.
Bud: True terminal bud absent.
Leaf Scar: Stipule scars may be evident near the lear scar.
Stem: Grayish to black bark. Sour tasting.
Flower: Three or less in clusters.
Fruit: Has whitish powder. Stones are flattened. Line vertically along fruit axis.
Habit: Various shapes. Usually medium-sized, round canopy.
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