Flatwoods Plum Prunus umbellata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nis um-bell-AY-tuh
- Description
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Flatwoods plum is a small native deciduous tree or shrub in the rose family. They have short thickened trunks and dense flat-topped crowns and can easily form thickets if not maintained. They are found naturally in upland, xeric, sandy and rocky woodlands. This plant has moderate drought tolerance. This plant can live up to 40 years. If planted in sandy soils, this plant needs more water and shade than usual.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- umbellata
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A., NC
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Native bees are attracted to the flowers.
- Edibility:
- Plums are used to make jellies and jams.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are available August-September and are black in color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Rounded umbles white to cream late-blooming flowers. Flowers bloom March-April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
