A wild plum from Diane P., SC

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Hi, Dr. Hill,
This is a shrub or small tree (deer keep eating it back, so it’s hard to be sure), growing in full sun in the fall line woods, photographed on Nov. 7. The leaves are softly fuzzy on the top and the bottom. Because of the deer, I’ve never seen it with flower or fruit.
Thanks,
Diane

Hi Diane,

my best guess for this is the Mexican wild plum, Prunus mexicana.  An alternative possibility would be the common wild plum, Prunus americana. They are very similar, and both are native here. Compare yours with internet pictures of their leaves and you will see how similar they are. Note the tiny paired glands at the base of the leaf blades.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven R. Hill, Botanist, SCNPS

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