Prunus umbellata Elliott

Hog Plum; Black Sloe; Prairie Plum

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Sloe is a small deciduous native tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Sloe occurs in dry pine or hardwood forests, in old fields, along fence rows, in rocky woods, and along streams. It is a small, often contorted tree reaching heights of 18-20 feet. The bark is dark reddish brown to gray and furrowed. Short shoots form sharp pointed spines. The bark peels in rectangular plates. The leaves are petiolate, elliptic in outline, and singly serrate. The leaves are usually glabrous. Flowers are produced before the leaves. The flowers occur in 2-6 flowered umbels. The flowers are pedicellate, have 5 erect to spreading sepals with entire margins, and 5 white petals. The flowers turn pinkish as they age. Flowers may be fragrant or odorless. The fruit is a red, purple, or blue-black drupe. The fruit are sometimes glaucous. Sloe is the common “wild plum” throughout much of Alabama. The fruit are small and tart, but are eaten by many species of wildlife and can be used to make jellies or jams. Sloe is available from nurseries that specialize in wildlife plants or native fruit trees. Sloe prefers a well-draining soil in full sun.--A. Diamond

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Native

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