Prunus domestica Reine Claude Dorée - Common plum

The Golden or Green Reine Claude Plum is a self-fertile variety that is easy to grow. Its fruits ripen in mid-August and are round and globose, measuring 4cm (2in) in diameter. They have a thin skin that is green with a golden yellow hue when exposed to sunlight. The pale yellow flesh is juicy and sweet, with excellent taste qualities. It can be eaten fresh or processed. This variety is a good pollinator but is not self-fertile, so it requires the presence of another plum tree to fruit satisfactorily.

The original area of plums is believed to be Syria, not China. During the Roman hegemony over the region various local fruits, including the plum, were introduced to Rome. The Golden or Green Reine Claude Plum has been known since then. The Golden or Green Reine Claude Plum was named in honour of Claude of France, the wife of King Francis I, nicknamed "The Good Queen".

This fruit tree naturally reaches a height of up to 8m (26ft) at maturity. Its free and spreading silhouette is appreciated, and with proper pruning it will be easy to harvest. It requires little care and maintenance due to its natural openness. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and grows in all types of rich, moist, and deep soils, even heavy ones, but without limestone.

Its leaves are oval, almost oblong, with serrated edges and slightly pubescent. Flowering occurs in April for this semi-late variety. The tree is completely covered with white flowers that appear on the previous year's branches. It is not self-fertile, so it is necessary to plant another plum tree nearby: the Reine Claude d'Oullins or Mirabelle de Nancy varieties are particularly well-suited.
The fruits, Reine Claude plums, are round and globose, measuring 4cm (2in) in diameter. They have a thin skin that is green with a golden yellow hue when exposed to sunlight. The pale yellow flesh is juicy and sweet.

Slightly susceptible to fruit splitting before ripeness but without monilia, the Golden or Green Reine Claude Plum is a variety tolerant to Bark-Split disease and withstands handling and transportation well.

The plums are consumed fresh under the tree, in fruit salads, as well as in desserts, pastries, and as accompaniments to meats and savoury dishes. They can be transformed into jams, of course, but also into preserved fruits, compotes etc. They can also be used to make spirits.