View source for Damson Plum

{{Taxobox
| name = Damson Plum
| image = Damson.jpg
| image_width = 190px
| image_caption = 
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Prunoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Prunus]]''
| subgenus = ''[[plum|Prunus]]''
| sectio = ''Prunus''
| species = '''''P. domesticus'''''
| subspecies = '''''P. d. insititia'''''
| trinomial = ''Prunus domesticus insititia''
}}

The '''damson''' or '''damson plum''' (''[[Prunus]] domestica insititia'', or sometimes ''Prunus insititia'') is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the [[plum]] tree.  It is also sometimes known as the '''Damask Plum''' (but is slightly different from the Bullace).  

The name damson derives from the Latin ''prunum damascunum'', "plum of Damascus". It is believed that damsons were first cultivated in [[Ancient history|antiquity]] in the area around the ancient city of [[Damascus]], capital of modern-day [[Syria]], and were introduced into [[England]] by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]]. This latter point has been proven, as remnants of damsons are often found during archaeological digs of ancient Roman camps across England, and ancient writings describe the use of damson skins in the manufacture of purple dye. The damson was introduced into the [[American colonies]] by [[England|English]] settlers prior to the [[American Revolution]] and are regarded as thriving better in the eastern [[United States of America|United States]] than other European plum varieties.
[[Image:Cvet šljive 2.JPG|thumb|left|160px|Damson flowers]]
The damson is identified by its small, oval shape (though slightly pointed at one end),  smooth-textured [[yellow]]-[[green]] flesh, and skin from dark [[blue]] to [[indigo]].  The tree blossoms with small, white flowers in early April and fruit is harvested in late August, early September.  

The skin of the damson is heavily acidic, rendering the fruit unpalatable to some for eating out of hand (for which the "President Plum" variety is better suited). Because of this acidic, tart flavour, damsons are commercially grown for preparation in [[Fruit preserves|jellies]] and [[jam]]s. A range of varieties of damson are available, with some such as 'Merryweather' being more appropriate for eating when ripe straight from the tree while varieties such as 'Farleigh' benefit from cooking.

The term damson is often used to describe red [[wines]] with [[acidic]], plummy flavors. Damson wine is also a favorite among some people.  Damson gin is made like [[sloe gin]], although less sugar is necessary as the damsons are sweeter than sloes.

== Weblinks ==
* [http://grandpasorchard.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trees.main&alphaKey=ALL&whichName=common&showIntro=0&typeID=9 Related varieties]


[[Category:Rosaceae]]
[[Category:Fruit]]