Japanese Ume Plum Blossom
This beautiful Japanese flower often seen in traditional paintings is the Japanese plum blossom which comes from the Japanese ume 梅:うめ (Japanese apricot or Chinese plum tree)
The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers and although generally referred to as a plum in the English language, it is actually more closely related to the apricot. The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February before the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals has coloring ranging from white to rose to deep red.
The fruit called ume plum and umeboshi plum (the latter referring to Japanese pickled ume) ripens in early summer, typically June and coincides with the rainy season of Japan. Each fruit is round with a groove running from the stalk to the tip. The skin is green when unripe, and turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, as it ripens. The flesh becomes yellow.
Ume blossoms are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring. When used in haiku or renga, they are a kigo or season word for early spring.
Ume viewing in Osaka
How to cook Umeboshi (Pickled ume)
How to Make Umeshu & Ume Syrup (Plum Wine & Plum Syrup
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