American plum

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

10-20 ft. tall
15-25 ft. wide

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Use dormant hardwood, softwood, semi-hardwood or root cuttings. Seed requires cold moist stratification.

Plant Planting Notes

Provide up to 25 ft spacing.

Plants/Diseases

Susceptible to black spot, canker, or black knot diseases. Sometimes experiences infestations of aphids, scale, and tent caterpillars.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae

Leaves

Leaves alternate, oblong to ovate with serrate margins; 3-6 inches long.

Flowers

White, fragrant flowers with 4-5 petals in an umbel.

Fruit

Drupe

Bark

Smooth reddish to gray bark with horizontal lenticels, becoming rough with age.

Toxicity

The fruit pits have medium toxicity if ingested.

Edibility

Fruits are edible and use to make jams, jellies, and preserves.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Dry, Medium, Moist

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Upland and bottomland forests, fencerows.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Rare in the coastal plain, common in the piedmont, sandhills, and mountains.