young shrub for ID

[James M]

Another one that has sprung up by the side of the fence, looks like some kind of woody shrub, anyone have any ideas?

[davidbr]

Looks like a Wild Plum bush (Prunus domestica), and from the shape of the leaves I'd say it's probably ssp. institia (Damson, or Bullace)

[James M]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Looks like a Wild Plum bush (Prunus domestica), and from the shape of the leaves I'd say it's probably ssp. institia (Damson, or Bullace)

Ah interesting thanks David. When you say Wild Plum, do they normally grow in the wild, or will this have been something seeded from someones garden?

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by James M

Ah interesting thanks David. When you say Wild Plum, do they normally grow in the wild, or will this have been something seeded from someones garden?

It's not a native species, but Wild Plum is well established in the wild and has probably been here for hundreds of years. Ssp. institia is as good as a part of natural scrub these days and spreads easily; ssp. domestica is the garden Plum (with larger fruits & leaves) and most of the sites I've found for it around Bristol at least are probably relics of cultivation (old allotments, gardens etc.) Like apples, though, they do also spring up from discarded stones on railway lines and waste ground.

[James M]

Thanks David, I might see if I can transplant it and grow it