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Last Updated:
June 14, 2012
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Wild Plum
(Prunus americana)
Leaves are alternate, simple, single toothed, and oval or oblong shaped.
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When grown in the open, the common wild plum is a low-branched, rounded tree, but becomes shrubby when grown in thickets or in crowded conditions. It is found throughout the state along fence rows, borders of woodsand waste places. It is a valuable wildlife tree.
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The leaves are similar to cherry leaves in shape, but are thinner, less firm, lighter green and less shiny above; light green beneath and with a wrinkled appearance. The leaves are 3 to 4 inches long with long pointed tips.
The twigs are slender, orange-brown, turning dark reddish brown and marked with tiny raised light dots. The short side twigs are often spiny. The fleshy fruit is sweet, round to oval, about 1 inch in diameter with a rounded seed. It is red to yellowish red when mature in late August. It is used for jams and jellies.
On young stems the bark is orange-brown to dark red-brown and is smooth and shiny. On older stems it is darker colored and breaks into large, thin scales or plates.
Click on a thumbnail image below to view a larger picture. |
