A question on wild yellow plums?

[Hathorite]

I had these once, and only once, at a market in Bath some years ago. A fellow who wildcrafted had picked these somewhere in New Forest and they were absolutely gorgeous! Small, yellow, and amazingly sweet. I have no idea what variety they were or where they were but I'd happily like to find them again.

Anyone know what these are? I've managed to find some yellow plums in the Tesco but, of course, while they're nice they're nowhere near the same. I am even more motivated now as sprog (who doesn't eat stone fruit for some reason) loves these yellow plums and so that's another victory on the food front.

[chickenofthewoods]

Wild plums are really difficult, I've been told that they're quite good at crossing among themeselves and so pinning them down accurately is hard. Were they round or oval? If they were round they may have been be a cherry or mirabelle plum which tend to come in earlier than other types.

I found a batch of 1" oval golden yellow ones yesterday that tasted wonderfully sweet and apricot-like and I'm still trying to figure out whether they're true wildings or something with a name.

You could have a stroll through the National Fruit Collection database*, but without a name to get you started it'll be a slog. There are photographs for most of the specimens though.

* http://www.nationalfruitcollection.org.uk/index.php

[Hathorite]

They were definitely oval, and about 1inch-2inches long. They were so small I did at first think they were an apricot or something but they didn't have the fuzz on the outside, definitely plummish skin. Sounds like you found a similar thing actually.

[Dandelion]

They sound like the fruit which grows on a tree which overhangs the Hereford to Ledbury road, just as you're approaching Ledbury - every year I think 'I wonder what they taste like' but then realise that i would probably be killed in the process of finding out! I think i saw some for sale in the WI produce market last week - if I'm around next time I'll ask someone what they are.

[Compostwoman]

Oh yes! I spot that as well, every year!

[chickenofthewoods]

In that case I'll try to take a photo of them for you when I finally find the camera! The next thought is to wonder what the seed might produce if it germinated...

[csmlemontat]

There are loads here in Surrey and in West Sussex. The trees tend to grow in what I would call "polluted areas", i.e. near busy roads, which is a shame. The plums are small (no more than 2 cm) and are ripe by August. They are very sweet. I have decided that next year, I will collect enough to make jams, tarts and pies.

As you drive along the road in August, you can see yellow "carpets" of these delicious fruit. Don't hesitate to try them. I know a couple of trees which are not too near a busy road.