Prunus mume, commonly known as the Chinese plum, Japanese plum, Japanese apricot, or simply mume, is a cherished tree species with deep cultural and botanical roots across East Asia. Its scientific name combines the Latin prunus (“plum tree”) with the old Japanese term mume (梅, “plum”). While often called a “plum” in English, the tree is actually more closely related to the apricot. China alone boasts over 300 recorded cultivars of this remarkable species, reflecting its long history of cultivation and appreciation.
Originating in the Yangtze River region of southern China, Prunus mume later spread to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It thrives in a range of environments—from forested slopes and stream sides to cultivated gardens—and can grow at altitudes as high as 3,100 meters (10,200 feet). A deciduous tree, Prunus mume begins to bloom in midwinter, from January to late February, when few other plants flower. This striking early bloom makes it an enduring symbol of renewal and resilience in East Asian culture.
The blossoms of Prunus mume are highly fragrant, with delicate shades ranging from pure white to deep pink and red. By early summer—around June and July—the tree bears fruit that ripens just as the East Asian rainy season, or meiyu (“plum rain”), begins. Both its flowers and fruits are prized, and the tree is cultivated for ornamental as well as culinary purposes.
In East and Southeast Asian cuisines, the fruit of Prunus mume features prominently. It is used to make juices like suanmeitang (“sour plum drink”), teas such as Maehwa-cha (“plum blossom tea”), and condiments like meizijiang (“plum sauce”). It also flavors alcoholic beverages such as umeshu (“plum wine”) and wumeijiu (“smoked plum liquor”), and appears in pickled or candied forms like Umeboshi and Huamei. Each preparation highlights the fruit’s distinctive tart-sweet profile.
Beyond its culinary uses, Prunus mume holds a valued place in traditional medicine. Modern research suggests its extracts may possess antimicrobial properties effective against oral pathogens and Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium linked to gastritis and gastric ulcers.
Culturally, the plum blossom (meihua, 梅花) is a timeless emblem of perseverance, purity, and virtue. Celebrated in Chinese art and poetry for centuries, it represents strength and renewal amid adversity. In Confucian symbolism, the plum blossom embodies moral integrity and is honored as one of the “Three Friends of Winter” alongside pine and bamboo, as well as one of the “Four Gentlemen” of flowers, together with the orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. Across East Asia, the Prunus mume continues to inspire with its beauty, fragrance, and enduring spirit.
The plum blossom is the national flower of my motherland, the Republic of China (Taiwan). Its symbolism is described in the notes below.
梅，又稱中國梅、日本梅、日本杏或簡稱梅，是東亞地區備受珍視的樹種，擁有深厚的文化和植物學淵源。其學名由拉丁文 prunus（意為「梅樹」）和古日語詞彙 mume（梅，意為「李子」）組成。雖然在英語中常被稱為“plum”（李子），但實際上它與杏的親緣關係更近。僅中國就擁有超過 300 個有記錄的梅樹栽培品種，這反映了其悠久的栽培和被欣賞歷史。
梅原產於中國南方的長江流域，後傳至日本、韓國、台灣和越南。它適應性強，從林木茂盛的山坡、溪流兩岸到人工栽培的花園，都能生長，最高海拔可達 3100 公尺（10200英尺）。梅是落葉喬木，在仲冬時節，即一月至二月下旬，其他植物鮮少開花之時，便開始綻放。這種異常的早春花期，使其成為東亞文化中像徵新生與韌性的不朽標誌。
梅花香氣濃鬱，花色嬌艷，從純白到深粉紅到鮮紅。初夏時節－大約在六、七月份－梅樹開始結果，果實成熟之時，正值東亞梅雨季的開始。梅花和果實都備受珍視，因此梅既可用於觀賞，也可用於食用。
在東亞和東南亞的飲食文化中，梅子扮演著重要的角色。它被用來製作酸梅湯等果汁、梅花茶等茶飲，以及梅子醬等調味品。此外，它還用於釀造梅酒和煙熏梅酒等酒類飲品，並被製成梅乾和話梅等醃製蜜餞。每一種烹飪方式都突顯梅子獨特的酸甜風味。
除了食用之外，梅子在傳統醫學中也佔有重要地位。現代研究表明，梅子萃取物可能具有抗菌特性，可有效對抗口腔病原體和幽門螺旋桿菌（一種與胃炎和胃潰瘍相關的細菌）。
在文化上，梅花是堅韌、純潔和美德的永恆象徵。幾個世紀以來，它在中國藝術和詩歌中備受推崇，代表著逆境中的力量和新生。在儒家思想中，梅花象徵著道德的正直，與松竹並稱為「歲寒三友」，與蘭花、菊花和竹子並稱為「四君子」(梅有傲骨，蘭有幽雅，竹有氣節，菊有淡泊)。在整個東亞地區，梅花以其美麗、芬芳和不朽的精神繼續激勵著人們。
梅花是我的祖國中華民國（台灣）的國花。其象徵意義詳見下文。
Pink Japanese Apricot
White Japanese Apricot
Flowering Apricot
‘Bonita’
'Peggy Clarke'
‘Peggy Clarke’ features rose-pink double flowers with red calyxes and very long stamens. It was introduced into the U.S. in 1941 by W. B. Clarke who named it after one of his daughters.
「佩吉·克拉克」的特點是玫瑰粉紅色的雙花，花萼為紅色，雄蕊很長。它於 1941 年由 W. B. Clarke 引入美國，並以他的女兒的名字命名。
'Rosemary Clarke'
‘Rosemary Clarke’ has early blooming, double flowers, white with red calyces.
「迷迭香·克拉克」品種開花早，花重瓣，白色花瓣，紅色花萼。
Notes 筆記
- Prunus mume’s common names include Chinese plum, Japanese plum, Japanese apricot, Japanese flowering plum, mei, and mume. The scientific name combines the Latin prūnus (“plum tree”) and the obsolete Japanese 梅 (mume, “plum”).
- This distinct tree species is related to both the plum and apricot trees. Although generally referred to as a plum in English, it is more closely related to the apricot. In China, there are over 300 recorded cultivars of Prunus mume.
- Prunus mume originated around the Yangtze River in the south of China. It was later introduced to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. It can be found in sparse forests, stream sides, forested slopes along trails and mountains, sometimes at altitudes up to 1,700–3,100 m (5,600–10,200 ft), and regions of cultivation.
- Prunus mume is a deciduous tree that starts to flower in mid-winter, typically around January until late February in East Asia. The tree’s flowering in late winter and early spring is highly regarded as a seasonal symbol.
- The flowers have a strong fragrant scent. They have colors in varying shades of white, pink, and red.
- The fruit ripens in early summer, around June and July in East Asia, and coincides with the East Asian rainy season, the meiyu (梅雨, “plum rain”). The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers.
- In East Asian cuisine (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) and Southeast Asian cuisine (Vietnamese), the fruit of the tree is used in juices, as a flavoring for alcohol, as a pickle and in sauces. The examples of the food include suanmeitang (酸梅湯; “sour plum juice”), Maehwa-cha (매화차, 梅花茶; “plum blossom tea”), meijiang (梅醬) or meizijiang (梅子醬; “plum sauce”), maesil-cheong (매실청, 梅實淸, “plum syrup”), maehwa-jeon (매화전, 梅花煎; “plum blossom pancake”), Umeshu or méijiǔ (梅酒; “plum wine”), wumeijiu (烏梅酒; “smoked plum liquor”), suanmeizi (酸梅子; “sour plum fruits”), Huamei (話梅), Umeboshi (梅干) etc..
- Prunus mume is also used in traditional medicine. A recent study has indicated that Prunus mume extract is a potential candidate for developing an oral antimicrobial agent to control or prevent dental diseases associated with several oral pathogenic bacteria. Recent studies have also shown that Prunus mume extract may inhibit Helicobacter pylori, associated with gastritis and gastric ulcers.
- Plum blossoms have been well loved and celebrated across East Asia, and in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The plum blossom, which is known as the meihua (梅花), is one of the most beloved flowers in China and has been frequently depicted in Chinese art and poetry for centuries. In Confucianism, the plum blossom stands for the principles and values of virtue. Because it blossoms in the cold winter, the plum blossom is regarded as one of the “Three Friends of Winter”, along with pine, and bamboo. The plum blossom is also regarded as one of the “Four Gentlemen” of flowers in Chinese art together with the orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo.
- The National Flower of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was officially designated as the plum blossom (梅花) by the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China on July 21, 1964. As the National Flower, the plum blossom symbolizes:
- Three buds and five petals – symbolizes national father Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People and the five branches of the Government in accordance with the Constitution.
- The plum blossom withstands the harsh cold winter – it symbolizes the faithful, the resolute and the holy; it represents the national spirit of Republic of China nationals.
- The five petals of the flower – symbolizes Five Races Under One Union; it also symbolizes Five Cardinal Relationships (Wǔlún), Five Constants (Wǔcháng) and Five Ethics (Wǔjiào) according to Confucian philosophy (national philosophy of imperial China for two millennia until 1912, when the Qing Dynasty was overthrown and the Republic of China was established)
- The branches (枝橫), shadow (影斜), flexibility (曳疏), and cold resistance (傲霜) of the plum blossom also represent the four kinds of noble virtues, “originating and penetrating, advantageous and firm” mentioned in the I Ching (Book of Changes).
- It also serves as the logo of China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan (the Republic of China).
- In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif, amongst other flowers, for Korean embroidery.
- Plum blossoms are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring. Plum blossoms were favored during the Nara period (710–794) until the emergence of the Heian period (794–1185) in which the cherry blossom was preferred. Japanese tradition holds that the ume functions as a protective charm against evil, so the ume is traditionally planted in the northeast of the garden, the direction from which evil is believed to come. The eating of the pickled fruit for breakfast is also supposed to stave off misfortune.
- 梅的俗名包括中國梅、日本梅、日本杏、日本花梅、梅和梅花。學名結合了拉丁語 prūnus（“梅樹”）和已淘汰的日語梅（mume，“梅”）組成。
- 這種獨特的樹種與李子和杏子都有親緣關係。雖然在英語中通常被稱為李子，但它與杏子的親緣關係更近。在中國，有 300 多個梅的栽培品種。
- 梅原產於中國南方的長江流域。後來被引進日本、韓國、台灣和越南。它常見於稀疏的森林、溪邊、山路沿線的林坡和山區，有時海拔可達 1700-3100 公尺（5600-10200 英尺），有時也見於人工栽培區。
- 梅是一種落葉喬木，通常在東亞地區於仲冬時節開始開花，花期一般在ㄧ月至二月下旬之間。梅花在冬末春初的盛開被視為季節開始的象徵。
- 它的花散發著濃鬱的香氣。它們的顏色有不同深淺的白色、粉紅色和紅色。
- 它的果實在初夏成熟，大約在東亞的六、七月份，正值東亞的梅雨季節。人們主要是為了它的果實和花朵而栽培。
- 在東亞菜餚（中國菜、日本菜和韓國菜）和東南亞菜餚（越南菜）中，這種樹的果實被用於榨汁、作為酒精的調味品、醃製食品和醬汁中。食物的例子包括酸梅湯，梅花茶，梅醬或梅子醬，梅實淸，梅花糖漿，梅花煎餅，梅酒，烏 梅酒，酸梅子，話梅，梅干等。
- 梅也用於傳統醫學中。近期一項研究指出，梅子萃取物有望成為一種口腔抗菌劑，用於控製或預防與多種口腔致病菌相關的牙科疾病。此外，近期研究也顯示，梅子萃取物可以抑制幽門螺旋桿菌（Helicobacter pylori），該菌與胃炎和胃潰瘍密切相關。
- 梅花在東亞、越南和東南亞等地一直備受喜愛。梅花，是中國最受喜愛的花卉之一，幾個世紀以來在中國的藝術和詩歌中頻頻出現。在儒家思想中，梅花象徵美德。由於梅花在寒冷的冬季盛開，因此與松樹和竹子並稱為「歲寒三友」。在中國藝術中，梅花也與蘭花、菊花和竹子並稱為「四君子」。
- 中華民國（台灣）的國花於 1964 年 7 月 21 日由中華民國行政院正式指定為梅花。作為國花，梅花象徵：
- 三個花苞和五片花瓣－象徵國父孫中山的三民主義和憲法的五權分立。
- 梅花經歷了嚴寒的冬季——它像徵著堅貞，剛毅和聖潔；它代表了中華民國人民的民族精神。
- 這種花的五片花瓣象徵著五族同盟；它也像徵著儒家哲學（中國兩千年來（直至1912年清朝被推翻、中華民國建立）的民族哲學）中的敦五倫、重五常、敷五教。
- 梅花的枝橫、影斜，曳疏和傲霜也代表了《易經》中提到的「元、亨、利、貞」四種美德。
- 它同時也是中華民國（台灣）國家航空公司——中華航空的標誌。
- 在韓國，梅花是春天的象徵。它是韓國刺繡中常見的圖案之一。
- 梅花在日本詩中常被提及，象徵春天。奈良時代（710-794 年）梅花備受青睞，直到平安時代（794-1185 年）櫻花才是首選。日本傳統認為梅花具有辟邪的功效，因此常被種植在花園的東北方，因為人們相信不幸會從那裡襲來。據說早餐吃醃梅也能驅邪避兇。
Other Related Posts 其他相關的帖子
- Plant: Prunus 李属/梅属
- Plant: Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) 櫻桃李
- Plant: Chinese Plum (Prunus salicina) 中國李
- Plant: Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata) 山櫻花
- Plant: Peach (Prunus persica) 桃
- Plant: Taiwan Cherry (Prunus campanulate) 山櫻花
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Prunus mume
- North Carolina Extension Gardner Plant Toolbox: Prunus mume
- 維基百科: 梅
Plants Posts 植物的帖子
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