The plum is related to the peach, cherry, nectarine, apricot and almond, and dried plums are commonly referred to as prunes. The Prunus domestica, or European plum is primarily used for making prunes, and the Prunus salicina, or Japanese plum is the most commonly eaten fresh plum.

Prunus domestica originated in western Asia, while Prunus silicina are native to China, and are mentioned by Confucius dating back to 479 BCE.  Prunus silicina was first taken to Japan, hence the name Japanese plum, before being introduced to other parts of the world. In Chinese mythology the plum tree is associated with great age and wisdom.

Today plums are second only to apples as the most cultivated fruit, with China the leading producer, and the US, Serbia, Romania and Germany other large plum producing countries.