Plums are not native to the UK. This variety can be found in and around the village of Manaccan near the Helford River, on the Lizard peninsula. A very sweet, black desert plum, mine has a noticeable coating of protective fungus on the skin, harmless to humans, that has the texture of icing sugar on the palate. A visitor once said that it is like eating sweet silk as the flesh melted into his mouth. It's my favourite of the August fruiting plum varieties in the Forest Garden.

Pollination: 3 Self fertile

Harvest time: August

Grown as: Bare root

Hardiness: Zone 7 for cold, requires shelter from the wind

Size: 1 year maiden 1.5m plus