Prunus gracilis

Prunus gracilis, called the Oklahoma plum,[3][2] sour plum, and sand plum, is a species of Prunus native to the south-central United States.

Prunus gracilis
1913 illustration[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus subg. Prunus
Section: Prunus sect. Prunocerasus
Species:
P. gracilis
Binomial name
Prunus gracilis
Synonyms

Prunus normalis Small

Description

Prunus gracilis grows up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) tall, has five-petaled leaves, and fruits ripen June–August.[4] It grows in clusters and thickets.[5] It is hermaphroditic and pollinated by insects.[2]

Taxonomy

The specific epithet Gracilis refers to 'slender branches'.[6]

Distribution and habitat

It is natively found in various states of the United States, including Alabama, southwestern Arkansas, southeastern Colorado, Kansas, northwestern Louisiana, eastern New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.[2][7][8][9]

It is found growing in fence rows, open woodlands, woodlands edge, forest openings, hillsides, slopes, sandy roadsides, upland thickets and waste places. It is normally found at 100–1,300 m (330–4,270 ft) above sea level.[2]

Uses

Its red fruits are considered poor for eating, but Native Americans dried them for consumption during winter.[10]

References
  1. illustration published in Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 323.
  2. Pollard, R.P.; Rhodes, L.; Maxted, N. (2016). "Prunus gracilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T50403541A50673957. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T50403541A50673957.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Prunus gracilis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  4. "Prunus gracilis". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  5. Wright, William Franklin (1915). Native American species of Prunus. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture. p. 58.
  6. "Prunus gracilis Engelm. & Gray". Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. "Prunus gracilis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  8. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  9. "USDA Plants Database".
  10. "Oklahoma Plum, Sour Plum, Sand Plum". Texas A&M University. Retrieved December 30, 2014.


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