American Plum
(Prunus americana)

American Plum (Prunus americana)

Alternative Names

Indian Plum, hog plum, wild yellow and red plum and wild plum

Description of American Plum (Prunus americana)

American Plum (Prunus americana), a member of the Rosaceae (Rose Family), is a large shrub to small tree that grows from 5′ to 25′ tall, sometimes up to 35′ and blooms in the spring (April to June).  The fruits, which are red drupes (plums), mature in the summer (August to September).  More information can be found on this blog post about American Plum.

Hosted Species

Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)

Henri’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)

Nectar Species

This species is used by other insects and is food for birds and mammals.

Habitat

This species grows in open areas such as roadsides, wood edges, woodlands, and thickets.

Range of American Plum (Prunus americana) in the United States and Canada

Interesting Facts

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin for “drupe.”  The species name, americana, is Latin for “America.”