Flowers are white and borne solitarily, or few flowers in a cluster. Fruit is a red drupe. Buds are usually not clustered at ends of twigs. Terminal buds are larger and more pointed than the lateral buds. Glands on petioles are always present.
Leaves are medium green above and light green beneath.
Flowers are white and bloom between May and June. Flowers are borne in a many-flowered raceme. Fruit is black and ripens in September or October. American plum is a small tree occurring in patches or thickets usually along the borders of woods or in abandoned fields. The trees are shade intolerant.