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Ume (梅) is the Japanese name for a species of Asian plum (Prunus mume,
Rosaceae). The tree originates from China, where it is called méi (梅), but has
also grown in Japan and Korea, where it is called maesil (hangul: 매실; hanja: 梅
實) since ancient times. The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers. Although
normally called a plum, it is actually more closely related to the apricot. Another
species commonly referred to as the "Japanese plum" is the sumomo.
In Japan, cultivars of ume are classified into "wild plum" types, "crimson flowered"
types, and bungo type. Some of the best fruit comes from the bungo trees which
developed from ume and apricot hybrids. The crimson flowered trees are grown
mainly for decoration. Wild plum trees are used as grafting stock.
The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in Japan, before
the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1-3 cm in diameter. The
flowers are typically white, though cultivars may have rose or deep red flowers.
The leaves appear shortly after the petals fall. The leaves are oval, with a
pointed tip. The fruit ripens in early summer, typically June in Japan. The ripening
of the fruit coincides with Jiangnan's rainy season, meiyu (梅雨) (see also, tsuyu).
Each fruit is round with a groove running from the stalk to the tip. The skin is
green when unripe, and turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, as it ripens.
The flesh becomes yellow.
Rosaceae). The tree originates from China, where it is called méi (梅), but has
also grown in Japan and Korea, where it is called maesil (hangul: 매실; hanja: 梅
實) since ancient times. The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers. Although
normally called a plum, it is actually more closely related to the apricot. Another
species commonly referred to as the "Japanese plum" is the sumomo.
In Japan, cultivars of ume are classified into "wild plum" types, "crimson flowered"
types, and bungo type. Some of the best fruit comes from the bungo trees which
developed from ume and apricot hybrids. The crimson flowered trees are grown
mainly for decoration. Wild plum trees are used as grafting stock.
The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in Japan, before
the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1-3 cm in diameter. The
flowers are typically white, though cultivars may have rose or deep red flowers.
The leaves appear shortly after the petals fall. The leaves are oval, with a
pointed tip. The fruit ripens in early summer, typically June in Japan. The ripening
of the fruit coincides with Jiangnan's rainy season, meiyu (梅雨) (see also, tsuyu).
Each fruit is round with a groove running from the stalk to the tip. The skin is
green when unripe, and turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, as it ripens.
The flesh becomes yellow.