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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Crataegus phaenopyrum Crataegus phaenopyrum
Prunus angustifolia Prunus angustifolia
Prunus serotina Form
Prunus americana has some common insect problems:
Plum Curculio
American Plum Borer in Ornamentals
Prunus americana has some common disease problems:
Plum Curculio
Prunus americana has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Prunus americana

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ah-mer-ih-KAY-nah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The American plum is a small, deciduous, single-trunk tree or multi-stemmed shrub which occurs in rocky or sandy soils in woodlands, pastures, abandoned farms, streams and hedgerows throughout the State. As a tree, it typically grows to 10-20' tall with a broad, spreading crown. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. It is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Remove suckers to prevent unwanted spread or to train into a small tree. It can form thickets with its thorn-like side branches so keep it will have to be maintained unless that is the desired result. It is fairly adaptable tough plant.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Seasons of Interest: 

  Blooms:  Early spring            Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Late summer

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  Plum curculio and brown rot can affect the fruit of the American Plum. Other potential disease problems include leaf spot, canker and black knot. Other potential insect problems include aphids, scale, borers and tent caterpillars.   This plant is susceptible to damage from deer. 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Fairlane'
'Fairlane'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#shrub#native tree#cover plant#low maintenance#security plant#flowering tree#showy fruits#small mammals#fast growing#fire low flammability#NC native#wild turkeys#quail#spines#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#edible tree#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#Piedmont Mountains FACU#nectar plant early spring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#red-spotted purple butterfly#spring azure butterfly#viceroy butterflies#coral hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Fairlane'
'Fairlane'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#shrub#native tree#cover plant#low maintenance#security plant#flowering tree#showy fruits#small mammals#fast growing#fire low flammability#NC native#wild turkeys#quail#spines#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#edible tree#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#Piedmont Mountains FACU#nectar plant early spring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#red-spotted purple butterfly#spring azure butterfly#viceroy butterflies#coral hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    americana
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The plum fruit is used to make jellies and jam. The fruit is also eaten dried, which is then called a prune.
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its thickets provide good cover for songbirds and small mammals year-round.  This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for several species of butterflies. You may see Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus) which has one flight from May-August, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), which has three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north, Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) which has many flights from January-October at the gulf coast getting shorter as you move north, Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) which has two to three broods May-September, and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) has two broods from April-October. The fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, and small mammals. Deer also eat the twigs and leaves.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    fire in the landscape. Heat and drought tolerant.
    Edibility:
    Although the plums can be eaten raw, the quality is somewhat poor. The fruits are perhaps better used for preserves and jellies or dried to make prunes.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers are followed by 1 in., thick-skin, edible, round, red-purple plums (1" diameter) with bright yellow pulp which ripen in July and August. This species is usually grown for ornamental value and not for fruit production, however. Although the plums can be eaten raw, the quality is somewhat poor. The fruits are perhaps better used for preserves and jellies.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    The American plum has 2-5 flowered clusters (umbels) of 5-petaled white flowers (1" diameter) that appear from March to April before the foliage. The flowers are unpleasantly aromatic.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The American plum has toothed, oblong to ovate leaves that are 3-4" long and turn yellow to red in autumn. The underside is pale green.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Ridges
    Smooth
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Irregular
    Bark Description:
    The bark is smooth and reddish/gray with numerous horizontal lenticels.  As the tree ages, the bark becomes rough with irregular ridges and exfoliating curling strips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Branches and twigs are an attractive dark reddish-brown and sometimes have thorny lateral branchlets.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Flowering Tree
    Security
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Spines/Thorns
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie. Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems