Prunus mume aka Japanese Apricot

Prunus mume, also known as Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot, is a deciduous tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus subgenus Prunus. It is native to East Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The tree is highly regarded for its flowering in late winter and early spring, which is considered a seasonal symbol. The flowers, which are 2-2.5 cm in diameter and have a strong fragrant scent, come in varying shades of white, pink, and red. The leaves, which are dark green and often tinted red in autumn, appear shortly after the petals fall and are oval-shaped with a pointed tip. The tree can grow to be 4-10 meters tall. In East Asian cuisine, the fruit of the Prunus mume tree is used in juices, as a flavoring for alcohol, in pickles, and in sauces. It is also utilized in traditional medicine. The fruit itself is a drupe that ripens in early summer, turning yellow with a red blush, and has a tart, apricot-like taste. Prunus mume should not be confused with other related species such as Prunus salicina or Prunus japonica.