Chickasaw plum grows as either a thick-limbed shrub or a small tree with a rounded mass of slender, thorny branches sprouting from a short trunk. Prunus americana, or American plum, often called Wild plum, is native to most of Kansas.It is the most common wild plum in Kansas except in the west where Sand Hill plum dominates. North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. (Rosaceae) [53,68,82,90,106,112,137,182,187,193]. Chickasaw plum has atypical growth characteristics compared to other species of plums. The Chickasaw plum tree is a native plum to America that was first discovered by William Bartram growing throughout the Southern States, and Bartram recorded that the Chickasaw plums, named after the Chickasaw Indian Tribe, were harvested for eating by early American Indian tribes, in his book, Travels, in 1773. See below Description. Bartram traveled the North American Southeast as part of a survey party in the late 1770’s. Order yours today! They are covered with white flowers in the mid-to-late winter and the fruit is ready to pick by the beginning of June. ), producing P. × orthopsepala Koehne [82,106]. Culture One-year-old, bare-root seedlings, 18 to 24 inches tall, are used in plantings. Sand hill plum has adapted statewide and grows naturally on sandy soils, but will perform well when planted on heavier clay-loam soils. An American wild plum tree doesn't exactly look like a tree, but it doesn't exactly look like a shrub, so I'm guessing that pruning has a great deal to do with your tree's appearance. The flowering Chickasaw Plum is a true ornamental with pretty textured bark and a pleasing branch structure. Sand plums bear red-orange plums eaten by many types of wildlife as well as human foragers. Phonetic Spelling PROO-nus ah-mer-ih-KAY-nah This plant has low severity poison characteristics. In spring before the leaves appear, it is festooned with small, white, fragrant flowers which makes for a pleasingly decorative tree when most others are … in the shoots having terminal bud and solitary side buds (not clustered), the flowers in groups of one to five together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one side and a smooth stone (or pit). Chickasaw plum was among the first fruits domesticated for human use in North America. The Chickasaw plum is perfect for home gardens. wild plums are sold by the pint. It tolerates drought, sandy or clay soil but does poorly in alkaline pH. The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera (peaches, cherries, bird cherries, etc.) Chickasaw plum in the home garden. American plums have been crossed with Japanese plums to create many outstanding varieties that are commercially available. The plums are a favorite food of Chickasaw Indians and other Native Americans who cultivated and spread the plant before Europeans arrived. You'll appreciate seeing more nesting birds and butterflies visit your yard. American plums growing in the nursery, at about 3 months old. This champion Chickasaw Plum of Virginia made its debut on the National Register of Champion Trees in 2018. The leaves are alternate with a finely toothed margin. The bark is smooth and red with numerous elongated light lenticels. Location Alachua, FL . A plum is a fruit of the subgenus Prunus of the genus Prunus. Herb: Chickasaw Plum Latin name: Prunus angustifolia Synonyms: Prunus chicasa Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) Medicinal use of Chickasaw Plum: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). The trees can grow up to twenty-five feet tall, but their average range is six to twelve feet tall. Boasts flowered clusters of 5-petaled white flowers in March before the foliage emerges. The many small white flowers emit a pleasant aroma. White fragrant blooms. Chickasaw plum is adapted wherever sandy soils are found and performs well when planted on heavier clay-loam soils (Kansas Forest Service, 2010). The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera (peaches, cherries, bird cherries, etc.) When the tree fruits and the plums begin to fall to the ground, there is very little litter problem. We described passerine nesting in Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) as related to plum age in north-central Oklahoma during the 2007 and 2008 nesting seasons to better understand the role of plum in bird ecology. It is the largest known tree of its species in the country as reported to American Forests. Chickasaw plum fruit by Stacey Matrazzo. The most famous of these is the Toka plum. A North American native tree, Chickasaw plum is very easily grown and has no special cultural requirements. the American plum and the Chickasaw plum. Sprouted American plum seeds. Use of sand plums range from cover for native bird species to making jams, jellies, and wine from the fruit. Found naturally in pastures, road sides and woodland borders, it has also been planted extensively throughout Kansas. American plum goose plum river plum wild plum TAXONOMY: The scientific name of American plum is Prunus americana Marsh. A plum is a fruit of the subgenus Prunus of the genus Prunus. Plum. Chickasaw Plum, also known as a Sandhill Plum or Sand Plum is easy to care for and maintain. The sand plum makes an interesting ornamental hedge or tree anywhere in hardiness zones 5 to 9. American plum is most closely related to and hybridizes naturally with Chickasaw plum (P. angustifolia Marsh. Most often seen in the wild as a shrub. It is commonly confused with the Canada plum … Establishment Chickasaw plum is easy to grow in almost any soil, except strongly alkaline (Christman, 2008). Chickasaw plum trees have super fragrant white flowers that grow in clusters. American Forests National Tree Register, Species: Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia), State: FL. This champion Chickasaw Plum of Florida made its debut on the National Register of Champion Trees in 2018. Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) is a plum native to the southern United States and is hardy from USDA Zones 6-9.A member of the Rosaceae (rose) family, it reaches 12 to 20 feet tall and about as wide at maturity.Found mainly in disturbed areas, the small half-inch flowers bloom on the previous year’s wood before the foliage emerges, making them particularly showy. The fruit is larger than the average Japans and 4 to 16 times as large as Robinson or Mari- anna. Many thorny branches that sprout from a short trunk are … Description Another large angustifolia 35′ to the northeast . Sand hill plum seedlings are not as vigorous as American plum seedlings. Flowers are followed by small, cherry-like Abstract. Chickasaw plum has an interesting growth habit that results in an irregular shape and a “twiggy” look. when ordering you will be able to select American plum, Chickasaw plum, or a mix of the two species. at present i have two different species ripening fruit. New Plum, "Apple." PLUMS, continued. How to Use Chickasaw Plum in the Landscape. These small trees grow quickly but have a relatively short life. This ornamental tree blooms in late winter and early spring. Also called sand hill plum or Chickasaw plum, this tree often forms thickets of plants only a few feet tall. Human foragers subgenus Prunus of the genus Prunus Indians and other native Americans who cultivated and the... 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