Prunus americana Marshall

American Plum; Wild Plum; Red Plum

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

American Plum is a native deciduous shrub or small tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native primarily from the Black Belt region northwards in Alabama. American Plum grows in prairies, along fence rows, on stream sides, and in open woods. It is a shrub or small tree growing to 8-15 feet in height. It usually does not form extensive thickets by suckering. The bark is initially smooth and reddish brown in color. With age it becomes grayish brown to dark gray and furrowed with irregular shallow ridges. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to obovate in outline, with doubly serrate margins. The leaves are glabrous or slightly hairy along the main veins. Flowers are produced in umbellate fascicles. The flowers are produced with the emergence of the new leaves. Each flower has five spreading white petals and 5 reflexed sepals. The sepals are glandular-toothed. The fruit is a red or yellow drupe. It is sometimes glaucous (covered with a waxy, white coating). The fruit is sweet to tart, and can be eaten raw or made into jellies or preserves. American Plum is considered the best native plum for fruit production. Over 250 varieties have been selected. It is also an important food for wildlife. American Plum is available from nurseries or it can be grown from seed. It prefers a well-draining soil and full to partial sun.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU- (NWPL)

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