Pärisploomipuu sektsiooni kuuluv haraline ploomipuu ehk alõtša kasvab looduslikult madala puuna Balkani poolsaarel, Krimmis ning Ees- ja Kesk-Aasias. Eestis kasutatakse teda ploomipuu pookealusena, kasvatatakse ka viljapuuna ja hekina. Kerajas või munajas 1–3 cm pikkune kollane või punane vili on hapu, kultuursortide viljad on niisama suured kui ploomid. Haralist ploomipuud kasvatatakse peamiselt Kaukaasias, Krimmis ja Venemaal Krasnodari krais.
The cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 8-10 m tall. It has an erect and bushy habit, with numerous intricate, fine, and occasionally spiny branches. Young twigs are hairless and glossy. The bark is purple brown, with thin scales, with horizontal orange lenticels, fissured with age. The leaves are alternate, elliptical, ovate or obovate, 3-7 × 2-3.5 cm, with crenate saw-toothed margins, hairless and glossy above,hairy on the veins beneath. The flowers are hermaphrodite and appear in March-May slightly before the leaves, usually solitary, 2-2.5 cm wide, on about 1.5 cm long pedicels. The sepals are 2.5-5 mm long with finely glandular saw-toothed margins. The petals are white, occasionally slightly reddish. The fruits are 2-3 cm wide, plum-like drupes, globose, ripening to red or yellow with a smooth endocarp.
