Allegheny plum, Alleghany sloe, Sloe plum, Porter's plum, American sloe
Prunus alleghaniensis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It often forms thickets. It has many upright branches. It grows 6 m high. The trunk is 15 cm across. The leaves are 5-9 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are narrow oval or sword shaped. There are 2 dot like glands at the base. There are fine sharp teeth along the edge. The leaves are covered with soft hairs when young. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The flowers are 12 mm wide with 5 rounded petals. They are white but turn pink. The flowers occur as 2-4 together on slender stalks. The fruit is a plum 10-12 mm across. It is reddish purple with a whitish bloom. They have a sour yellow pulp. There is a large stone.
There are about 200 Prunus species.
Where it is found
Temperate. It grows in moist soils and dry rocky mountain slopes. It grows between 400-610 m altitude in SE regions of the USA.
Countries/locations it is found in
North America, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit can be used in preserves or jelly. They are also used in pies or preserves.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds