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How to Grow
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Characteristics
Bloom Time
Mar, Apr, May
Plant Type
Shrubs, Trees, Shrub, Tree, Native Plant
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Height
36-72 ft.
Flower
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.
Fruit
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
Benefits
Attracts
Birds
Bees
Butterflies
Pollinators
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Warning
Plant has thorns or prickles. CAUTION: All parts of this tree, except the flesh and skin of the plums, contain the toxin hydrocyanic acid. (Kershaw)
More Info
Taxonomy
Order
Rosales
Family
Prunus - Flowering Trees
Genus
Prunus