Prunus domestica, the European plum, gives fresh plums and, dried, prunes and the alubukhara of Indian kitchens. Dried plums go into Mughlai dishes, chutneys and the sweet-sour sauces of North India. In India plums are grown in Himachal, Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Prunes are one of the few fruits with good evidence for relieving constipation.
- Botanical name
- Prunus domestica L.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Tamil
- Plum
- Hindi
- Alubukhara
- Parts used
- Ripe fruit
- Habit
- European plum; loquat is a cousin, not this fruit
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Plum
It is a small deciduous tree with oval, finely toothed leaves.
White flowers appear in early spring, singly or in small clusters.
The fruit is a round to oval drupe, purple, red, yellow or green, with a powdery bloom on the skin and a flattened stone.
Japanese plums, Prunus salicina, are rounder and juicier and are also grown in Indian hills.
Plums flower before the leaves open, so an orchard in early spring is a sheet of white blossom on bare wood.
Traditional use of Plum
Indian kitchen
Alubukhara is soaked and added to biryanis, kormas and chutneys for a sweet-sour taste.
North Indian food practice
European kitchen
Plums are eaten fresh, made into jams, cakes and brandy, and dried as prunes.
European food practice
Modern notes on Plum
Trials show prunes work as well as or better than psyllium for mild constipation, through fibre and sorbitol.
Plums provide vitamin C, potassium and antioxidant pigments.
Plum safety
Eat fruit and prunes as food. The kernels contain amygdalin and should not be eaten.
Ecology and sourcing
It arose in the Caucasus region, probably as a hybrid of wild plums, and is grown throughout temperate regions.
It needs winter cold and flowers early, so frost can damage the crop.
Bees pollinate the flowers.
Late frosts at blossom time can wipe out a year’s crop in the hills.
Related plants
Also in Rosaceae
Questions about Plum
What is alubukhara?
Dried plum used in Indian cooking.
Are prunes plums?
Yes, dried plums of this species.
Do prunes help constipation?
Yes, trials support their use.
Where are plums grown in India?
Mainly in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
How do I store fresh plums?
Ripen them at room temperature, then refrigerate.
Sources
- Prunus domestica L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q44120 (Prunus domestica)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.