Chickasaw plum, Sand plum
Prunus angustifolia

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It forms thickets. The branches are slender and spreading. It grows 1.5-4.6 m high. The trunk is 10 cm across. The bark is shiny and reddish. It is thin and forms slight cracks. The leaves are 2.5-6 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped with the sides slightly curved up. There are sharp teeth along the edge. The leaves are shiny green above and dull and paler underneath. The leaf stalks are red and slender. The flowers are 10 mm wide with 5 rounded white petals. There are 2-4 flowers in clusters on short equal stalks. The fruit is a plum 12-19 mm across. The skin is shiny red or yellow. There is a thick, juicy edible pulp. There is a large stone.

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows in moist soils. It the SE region of the USA it grows to 900 m altitude. It suits hardiness zone 5.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jellies and preserves. They can also be stored.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cherokee plum

Synonyms

Prunus chicasa Michx.;