mume = Praecox chimonanthus ?

Hi All,

i bought prunus Mume seeds last year. Now I am looking again at seeds and I noticed some pics of mume on google, and the seeds look like regular apricot seeds. My seeds however, were smooth, long and dark brown to black.

I found a website where they claim Praecox chimonanthus is prunus mume, with the seeds on it that I bought. So i am fairly convinced I bought Praecox chimonanthus, which shoudl have the same characteristics as Prunus mume. But.. Is it the same species?

Anyone any idea?

You are correct, Prunus mume seed should look like small apricot seeds. You don't have Prunus mume. But something almost as good.

Praecox chimonanthus - is backwards, The word praecox means "Early", there are no plant genera by that name. It is however fairly common as the species name, following a genus name.

Chimonanthus - is not a species name - it however is a Genus name - known in the west as 'Winter Sweet' there are 3 to 6 species in the genus, all native to China, including Chmonanthus praecox, Or the "Early blooming Chinese Wintersweet". The Genus Chimonanthus is in the olive family, and like other some other more familiar members of the olive family; Osmanthus,& Elaeagnus, they have very fragrant flowers.

Chimonanthus praecox has been used for bonsai, it was introduced to Japan quite a few centuries ago. Bill Valvanis at International Bonsai in Rochester NY, has a nice specimen. So while the seed you have is not Prunus mume, it is certainly a desirable species for flowering bonsai. Blooms about the same time of year, late winter or very early spring. Chimonanthus praecox is only hardy in zone 7 and warmer, so it is not as winter hardy as Prunus mume. Otherwise it should be fairly easy to grow.

Not sure whether I am smiling or crying.
Guess smiling. At least it is workable

Annoying though, these chinese wholesale websites. Guess they are like a box of chocolates too. You never know what you are going to get!

Thx!