Prunus domestica Reine Claude violette - Common plum

The Reine Claude d'Althan Plum is a vigorous variety with abundant and regular production. It produces large, round fruits that are slightly flattened, with a red-violet, or even purple, skin. Their thick, yellow flesh is fine, juicy, and fragrant. Harvest takes place from mid-August to September. The Reine Claude d'Althan Plum is not self-fertile.

The original area of plum trees is believed to be Syria, not China. During the time of Roman hegemony in the region, various local fruits, including plums, were introduced to Rome. The Reine Claude Dorée or green plum has been known since then. The Reine-Claude d'Althan Plum is a variety native to Hungary. It was selected there in 1860 by the gardener of Count d'Althan.

This fruit tree naturally grows up to 6 metres (20 feet) tall at maturity. Its free and slender silhouette is appreciated. It requires little care and maintenance thanks to its hardiness and resistance to diseases. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and grows in any type of rich, moist, deep, or even heavy soil, but without limestone. Its leaves are ovate, almost oblong, toothed, and slightly pubescent. Flowering occurs in April for this variety. The tree is then completely covered with white flowers that appear on the previous year's branches. This plum tree is particularly good for pollination. It can be used for all varieties of Golden Reine Claude and Reine-Claude d'Oullins.

The fruits, Reine-Claude plums, are round, slightly flattened, with a red-violet, or even purple, skin. Their thick, yellow flesh is fine, juicy, and fragrant. These fruits are mainly consumed fresh, preserved, and in jams.

Plums are eaten raw at the foot of the tree, in fruit salads, but also in desserts, pastries, and as accompaniments to meats and dishes. They are transformed into jams, of course, but also into syrup fruits, compotes... They are also used to make eau-de-vie.