can anyone identify the leaf of this (plum/damson)?

[jax23]

We found these on a forage and thought they were plums or damsons. But after looking at leaf shapes on-line we are now not so sure.

see attached picture, this is definatly the leaf of the tree, the fruit & flesh is just like a plum. I did rub some on my lip and no adverse effects.

Anyone any ideas what it is and if we can jam it?

many thanks

Jax

[Green Aura]

They're definitely not plums or damsons if they came off the plant with those leaves - they look like grape leaves

Would wild grapes get that big? Any vineyards near you for escapees (care of birds or little beasties)

I have to admit I'm stumped.

[MKG]

I saw your intro posting - welcome to the site - and decided to look for this posting to warn you about those elderflowers you said you'd gathered. Assuming you're in the UK, they can't be elderflowers at this time of the year. Hopefully, you meant elderberries? Now you've given us another mystery!

I think they're plums - but I don't think those leaves belong to them. Is there any chance that you picked them from a tree which had a vine-like creeper running through it? Anyway, cut one in half. If it has yellowish flesh and a stone in the middle, it's a plum.

Mike

[MKG]

Damn - did it again!!!!!

[healer]

The leaf is a Field Maple....but the fruit isn't!!!

[Hedgehogpie]

I'd agree with Healer, the leaf looks like field maple, and the fruit very like a late (exceedingly late!) type of cherry or mirabelle plum. I find it hard to believe that the fruit came from the same tree as the leaves (not that I'm disagreeing with your assertion that they do, just that it's not something I've ever come across before). Plum leaves are oval and from sloes up to cultivated plums the leaf shape is consistent but scaled accordingly, so a cherry plum leaf would be around one to one and a half inches in size (maximum) and oval.

I do have a few trees here in Kent that are still bearing these fruit but the other thing that strikes me is that mine are basically beginning to get over-ripe, whereas yours look quite fresh. Are they firm or soft when given a light squeeze? Do as Mike suggested and open one up to look for a stone which will help confirm whether it's a plum or not.

Whereabouts are you located? It would be useful to know!

[Green Aura]

But aren't the fruit and leaves all still attached to the twig?

[MKG]

Errrrmmmm ... Nope

Mike

[jax23]

sorry guys been away from the computer. they were windfall, many were firm others good and ripe. Im in Preston, lancs, its near the lakes so rains alot if that may have any bearing.

Ive just cut one open and have to say if it isnt a plum its very good at masquerading itself both in looks and taste (smeared it round my lips this time and no ill iffects). There werent many on the tree but when I did see one I shook the branch to make sure it was part of the tree. Having seen plum leaves now I can see the issue. Im pretty sure there was no vine but cant be 100% .

Dont know if I could find the tree again.

it was elderberries not flowers, I also picked by the way.

heres a of our rich pickings including the....well.....its basically a plum isnt it?

[jax23]

oh, and no it wasnt attached, I may have been a bit of a plum myself perhaps, see attached picture of inside of said fruit for proof.

thanks for all the feedback guys.

I'll let you know how I cook them all later, hawthorn & plum coulis anyone?

Jax

[Hedgehogpie]

Yep, I recon that's a cherry plum then. Don't forget to post some photos of your creations!

[jax23]

will do, going to start simple though and work up to fine dining, having never used any of these things before!

off to check out your massive collection of hip recipes, jelly and gin seem a rewarding place to start.

[red]

nice haul of fruit. I made haw ketchup from the haws this year - using the recipe in the river cottage preserves book.. and thats a winner.. will be doing that one again.

[jax23]

that sounds just the ticket, I'll have a look at that.

I've bunged them all in the freezer while I ponder, washed and stalked but seeds an all. Will they be ok like that?

Blimey, foraging is good exercise, Im bushed, fabulous day though.

time for a sleepy.

glad I found this forum with all its churpy enthusiasts!

[amphbisson]

I'm having equal difficulty. I have taken to running the parks of London with my nose in the air at this time of year to spot the trees ripe for foraging. And I've just returned from a sweat around Wandsworth common and have found two trees. One with a red plum-like fruit and reddish leaves - this one is dropping fruit, but they feel quite hard. And one with a little green fruit and leaf, not yet dropping, which I think might be a bullace. Attached is a photo of both - any ideas anyone? I've managed to keep myself in foraged fruit for the last month now, so hoping these and the goose-gogs I found last week might see me through 'til September when the apples are ready!