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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Prunus umbellata (Flatwoods plum)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Prunus umbellata

Prunus umbellata Elliott

Flatwoods Plum, Hog Plum, Black Sloe

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PRUM

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small tree with short trunk and broad, compact, flattened crown of slender branches; sometimes a thicket-forming shrub.

The wild plums of this species are gathered for making jellies and jams. The scientific name describes the flower clusters, known as umbels, that are rounded, with equal stalks like an umbrella.

 

From the Image Gallery

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall.
Flower: Flower 1 inch.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: White, sometimes fading to pink.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TN , TX
Native Distribution: S. North Carolina south to central Florida, west to S. Arkansas and E. Texas; to 1000' (305 m).
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Acid-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Wildflower meadow, Accent tree or shrub
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Prunus umbellata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Prunus umbellata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Prunus umbellata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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