Damson

Damson, a rather small oval-fruited variety of the common plum, much esteemed for preserving, and not wholly unfit for dessert. The tree grows to a considerable height, but has a bushy, sloe-like appearance. It is extremely fruitful. There are many sub-varieties, with fruit of different colours, dark purple, bluish, black, yellow, &c. Damsons are produced in great quantities in some parts of England. Damson pies and damson cheese—made somewhat in the manner of fig-cake—are well known. The name is a corruption of Damascene, from Damascus.—The Mountain Damson or Bitter Damson of the West Indies is the Sinaruba (q.v.).