Damson
Latin name
Prunus domestica subsp. insititia
Family
Rosaceae
Other names
Bullaces, wild plums, Prunus domestica ssp. agg
Flowering season
Early April
English distribution
It is found throughout the country, but the distribution is
rather patchy.
For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway
- Damson
Habitat
It is aturalised in hedges, edges of woods, copses and scrub.
Description
Damsons are small trees or shrubs growing up to 8m or so.
Flowers are 15 to 25mm across, with 5 white petals, numerous
white anthers with cream-yellow anthers.
The style is cream-green and the stigma cream.
Leaves are oval.
Damson fruits are like small purple plums. They ripen in
late August and early September and are used mainly to make
jam, although in the past they were a source of indigo-like dyes.
In the Lythe Valley, Cumbria, 'Damson Day' is held annually
in April and a range of damson-derived products are sold,
including damson gin and damsons covered in chocolate.
Damsons are crosses between sloe (blackthorn) and
introduced sweet plums, Prunus domestica.
These crosses have occurred for centuries, so much so,
that the whole range of wild plums, damsons and bullaces
are given the overall latin name, Prunus domestica ssp. agg.
Some refer to bullaces as being the fruits of wild damsons.
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Damson trees, Lythe valley, Cumbria
Flower with stamens
Flower with style and stigma
Bullaces, Suffolk