Prunus angustifolia

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds

The fruit can be eaten raw, cooked or dried for later use. It is large and thin-skinned with a soft, juicy, sweet pulp and a delicious flavour — excellent eaten out of hand and equally good in pies or preserves. Fruit is up to 18mm in diameter. The seed is also edible raw or cooked, but should be avoided if it tastes too bitter.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

Temperate. It grows in moist soils. It the SE region of the USA it grows to 900 m altitude. It suits hardiness zone 5.

North America, USA,

How to Identify

A shrub or small tree. It forms thickets. The branches are slender and spreading. It grows 1.5-4.6 m high. The trunk is 10 cm across. The bark is shiny and reddish. It is thin and forms slight cracks. The leaves are 2.5-6 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped with the sides slightly curved up. There are sharp teeth along the edge. The leaves are shiny green above and dull and paler underneath. The leaf stalks are red and slender. The flowers are 10 mm wide with 5 rounded white petals. There are 2-4 flowers in clusters on short equal stalks. The fruit is a plum 12-19 mm across. The skin is shiny red or yellow. There is a thick, juicy edible pulp. There is a large stone.

How to Grow

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Although it should be hardy in all parts of Britain, it grows better in the warmer areas of the country. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild, it has become rather rare in a truly wild state, though it is often cultivated for its edible fruit in N. America. There are some named varieties. The fruit is not freely produced in British gardens. The flowers, which appear just before the leaves unfold, have a refreshing fruity scent. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. This species suckers freely in the wild, often forming thickets. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. A clumping plant, forming a colony from shoots away from the crown but with a limited spread. Harvesting typically occurs in late summer to early autumn, with specific timing varying by species. For instance, plums and peaches are usually harvested from July to September (Northern Hemisphere), while almonds are harvested in August to September (Northern Hemisphere). Prunus species usually flower in early spring, often between March and April (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the species and local climate. Growth rates vary among species, but generally, Prunus trees can grow moderately fast, often reaching full height in 3 to 5 years. However, they may take several years to bear fruit, depending on the species and growing conditions. Prunus species (like many plums and almonds) are self-fertile, while others (like sweet cherries and certain apricots) require cross-pollination with another compatible variety for optimal fruit set.

Propagation: Seed requires 2–3 months of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible, with protection from mice. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking 18 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter in a greenhouse or cold frame, then plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. Half-ripe wood cuttings with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants can be taken in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering can be done in spring.

Medicinal Uses

No specific medicinal uses have been recorded for this species, but all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to release hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Other Uses

Prunus species work well as windbreaks and in alley cropping systems, supporting pollinators and wildlife, with some varieties benefiting soil health. The leaves yield a green dye and the fruit a dark grey to green dye. This species is sometimes used in shelterbelt planting. Its extensive root system and tendency to form thickets make it useful for erosion control. The wood is heavy, rather soft and not strong, weighing 43lb per cubic foot, and is of little commercial value. Flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The fruits support birds and mammals, while the trees provide shelter, nesting and roosting sites. Bark and leaf litter offer overwintering habitat for invertebrates.

Prunus angustifolia, known commonly as Chickasaw plum, Cherokee plum, Florida sand plum, sandhill plum, or sand plum, is a North American species of plum-bearing tree. It was originally cultivated by Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. The species' name angustifolia refers to its narrow leaves. It became the official state fruit of Kansas in 2022.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 200 Prunus species.

More from Rosaceae

Acaena anserinifolia

Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur

No photo

Acaenia anserinifolia - (J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)Druce.

Pirri-Pirri Bur

Adenostoma sparsifolium

Red shanks, Ribbonwood

Agrimonia eupatoria

Agrimony, Salt and Pepper

Agrimonia odorata

Adour agrimony, Liver-wort

Agrimonia pilosa

Indian chestnut, Agrimony