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| ## American Plum {#american-plum .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Prunus americana* Marsh.                                             |
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| Plant Symbol = PRAM                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.4375in"
height="2.2916666666666665in"}J.S. Peterson

USDA NRCS NPDC

@ PLANTS

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Windbreaks*: Plant American plum in the central or outside rows where
adequate water is available. It may also be planted in single-row
windbreaks.

*Wildlife*: American plum is highly important as wildlife cover and
food. The thorny, suckering growth, when protected, forms a thicket
valuable for bird nesting, loafing, and roosting, and animal loafing and
bedding. Twigs and foliage provide a highly preferred browse for
whitetail and mule deer.

*Recreation and Beautification***:** The thorny growth and suckering
characteristics should be considered before planting this species near a
recreation area. It can be used for screening and natural barriers. The
fruit is used widely for making jams and jellies.

*Ethnobotanic*: American plum was and still is used as a source of food
and medicine by Native Americans in the Midwest and West.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Prunus americana* Marsh.*,* American plum, is a deciduous large shrub
or small tree with a broad crown, reaching heights up to 15 feet. Fruits
are red to yellow, almost globular edible plums about l inch in
diameter. Flowers are white, 5-petaled, about 1 inch across, and borne
singly or in clusters at the juncture of a stem and leaf. Leaves are
alternate, broadly oval in shape with a sharply tapering tip, and
sharply, often doubly toothed edges; they are generally 2 to 4 inches
long on slender stalks, dark green above, pale and smooth below. The
plant's numerous stems are grayish and become scaly with age; its
branches are more or less spiny with sharp-tipped twigs. The roots of
American plum are shallow, widely spreading, and readily sprouting.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Widely distributed over the eastern two thirds of central North America,
American plum grows in prairies, woodlands, pastures, and along
roadsides and riverbanks. The shrub is winter-hardy, but intolerant of
shade and drought; it requires the equivalent of 22 to 25 inches of
precipitation.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

American plum can be planted from seed and is relatively easy to
transplant. Plant in well-drained soil.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Plantings in dry areas must have supplemental water or available ground
moisture. Traditional resource managers used burning as a management
tool, which eliminated plant competition and provided nutrient
enrichment for increased fruit production; branch pruning was also used
to increase production.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

There are no known serious insect problems; plum pocket and black knot
are common diseases, but are generally not serious.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are many different cultivars of *Prunus* species that have been
developed for ornamental flowers and edible fruit.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060809 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060809-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*