Prunus mume, commonly known as Japanese Apricot or Ume, is a deciduous tree native to the Yangtze River basin in China and widely cultivated in East Asia. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including forest edges and open woodlands, particularly in regions with mild, temperate climates. Prunus mume typically grows to a height of 4–10 m (13–33 ft) with a rounded form. The tree is celebrated for its early flowering, often in mid-winter from January to late February, before the leaves emerge. The flowers are 2–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) in diameter, highly fragrant, and come in shades of white, pink, and red, providing a striking display against the bare branches. Following the blossoms, the fruit matures in early summer, coinciding with the East Asian rainy season known as meiyu ("plum rain"). The skin of the fruit turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, and the yellow flesh is sour and bitter when raw but can be processed into various culinary and medicinal products.

The Japanese Apricot is valued for its ornamental flowers, which are among the first to appear in the year, signaling the end of winter. It is commonly used in traditional East Asian gardens and has cultural significance, particularly in Japanese horticulture. The tree is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they offer slow to fast drainage, and it prefers full sun exposure. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. In terms of cultivation, the Japanese Apricot is also used for bonsai and as a rootstock for other Prunus species. However, it can be susceptible to a range of diseases, including plum pox virus and bacterial canker.CC BY-SA 4.0