Discover the Enigmatic Beauty of Armeniaca Mume Tortuosa

Armeniaca mume tortuosa, also known as the Jade Plate Dragon Meandering Plum, is a plant of the rose family, specifically the apricot genus.

Its unique characteristic is its naturally twisted branches, which form an open and irregular crown, resembling a meandering dragon – hence the name.

Its double-petaled flowers are snow white and have a fragrance reminiscent of rouge. The Jade Plate Dragon Meandering Plum is a rare bonsai gem that can be appreciated for both its flowers and branches.

I. Features and Characteristics

Crown: Open, irregular, and dragon-like.

Branches: Both large and small branches twist naturally, growing vertically and diagonally. They are thornless, with small branches displaying a pale green color, half of which are dappled with dark greyish-purple brown spots.

Flowering: 1-2 flowers, occasionally 3, grow on medium and short branches.

Blossoming Period: Mid-January to early March.

Flower Diameter: 23-29 millimeters.

Bud: Oval-shaped, flat, often with a hole in the center, with a very light pink color.

Flower Shape: Plate-like, spreading out evenly, with 4 layers of petals.

Flower Color: Milky white on both sides.

Petals: 16-25 in number, often with 1-2 stamens transformed into petals. The edges of the petals often undulate.

Sepals: 5-6 in number, usually 5, flat to slightly recurved, sometimes with 2-4 additional membrane sepals. The sepals are light green, mostly covered by crimson.

Stem: Short, stamens: radiating, equivalent to the petals.

Pistils: 2-5 in number, often degenerate, sometimes hollow.

Other: Sweet fragrance, not fruit-bearing.

The branches of the Dragon Meandering Plum naturally twist, forming a zigzag shape, while the crown of the tree resembles a “Z” shape when viewed from above.

The blossoming period is from mid-January to early March. The flower diameter is 23-29 millimeters. The bud is oval-shaped, flat, often with a hole in the center, and very light pink. The flower color is milky white on both sides.

There are 16-25 petals, and usually 5 sepals. The flower shape is butterfly-like, spreading out evenly, with 4 layers of petals.

II. Value and Other Information

The Dragon Meandering Plum’s unique branch formation makes it a beautiful sight, whether for its flowers or its shape. Thus, the Dragon Meandering Plum bonsai can be considered a gem among potted plants. The Dragon Meandering Plum blooms for about 15 days. Therefore, when cultivating, take care to mix it with other plum blossoms.