Plum pox Plum pox Plum pox, also known as sharka, is the most devastating viral disease of stone fruit from the genus "Prunus". The disease is caused by the plum pox virus (PPV), and the different strains may infect a variety of stone fruit species including peaches, apricots, plums, nectarine, almonds, and sweet and tart cherries. Wild and ornamental species of "Prunus" may also become infected by some strains of the virus. The virus is transmitted by aphids and by the transfer of infected plant material to new locations. Plum pox poses no danger to consumers, but it can ruin the marketability
Smoked plum Unripe plums are picked in early summer, smoked, and dried at . In China, smoked plums are used to make "suānméitāng", a sour plum drink. In Korea, smoked plums are used to make traditional teas and drinks such as "omae-cha" (smoked plum tea) and "jeho-tang" (medicinal summer drink). Latin (pharmaceutical) name for smoked plums is Mume Fructus. In Traditional Korean medicine, smoked plums are considered conductant for the liver channel, spleen channel, lung channel, and large intestine channel. It is used to treat ascariasis, vomiting, cough, and diarrhea. It is reported to relieve phlegm, inhibit intestinal motility, and fight bacteria