Prunus Americana

Mar, Apr, May

Shrubs, Trees, Shrub, Tree, Native Plant

Perennial

36-72 ft.

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.

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., Red