Plums are related to cherries and peaches. Belonging to the extensive Prunus family and classified as stone fruits, plums are believed to have originated in Asia and have been grown all over the world since ancient times. In North America, wild plums were reportedly eaten by Native Americans prior to the arrival of the Europeans, and today the wild variety is still consumed, although mostly as jam or jelly. Plum trees grow best in temperate regions, producing purple, red, orange, yellow, or light green fruit. Cold temperatures can brown the color and give the fruit an unappealing appearance. Most plums sold commercially are sweet and somewhat juicy, and vary in their crispness.