Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

American Plum (Prunus americana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Prunus americana Marshall

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves

American Plum, also known as Wild Plum, is a small tree that is uncommon in the Piedmont and Mountain regions of North Carolina.

Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves

Leaf undersides.

Caswell Co., NC 5/21/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/25/2009.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaf

Granville Co., NC 5/25/2009.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves

The leaves are finely serrated and abruptly long-pointed (acuminate). The petioles and leaf teeth lack glands.

Granville Co., NC 5/25/2009.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/25/2009.

American Plum (Prunus americana) flowers

The flowers are similar to wild cherries, with 4-5 white flowers in an inflorescence, but the infloresences lack leafy bracts at the base. Note also that the petioles lack glands and the leaf teeth and sepals lack marginal glands. Compare the flowers and leaves to Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium).

Eno River State Park, Durham Co., NC 4/13/08.

American Plum (Prunus americana) flower

Flower detail.

Eno River State Park, Durham Co., NC 4/13/08.

American Plum (Prunus americana) branches spines

Major branches have fine smaller branches tipped with downward-pointing spines.

Eno River State Park, Durham Co., NC 4/13/08.

American Plum (Prunus americana)

The fruits (plums) are large and edible when ripe.

Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana)

Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana) leaves fruit

Granville Co., NC 6/5/05.

American Plum (Prunus americana) bark

The bark is similar to other cherries, dark gray with horizontally-elongated lenticels, but tends to peel with age, revealing pale reddish-tan bark beneath.

Eno River State Park, Durham Co., NC 4/13/08.

American Plum (Prunus americana) bark

Granville Co., NC 5/25/2009.

Older bark can be so peely that it somewhat resembles that of River Birch.

Caswell Co., NC 5/21/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana)

Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

American Plum (Prunus americana)

Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

More information:
NC State Fact Sheet
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides