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Prunus maritima

Prunus maritima Marshall

Beach Plum

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PRMA2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Beach plum is a rounded, dense, suckering shrub growing 6 ft. tall or more. White, single or double flowers occur in small clusters before the dark-green, glossy leaves. Fruits are dull purple to crimson, ripening from Aug. to Oct.

The Beach Plum is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Usually shrub-like, up to about 8 feet tall. Rarely grows more tree-like, up to about 12 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Blue-purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CT , DE , MA , MD , ME , MI , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI
Canada: NB
Native Distribution: N.B. to NJ, occasionally extending some distance inland
Native Habitat: Dunes, sandy soil near the coast

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: Salt tolerant.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit.
Warning: The partially wilted foliage contains hydrocyanic acid, which has been known to kill livestock that have browsed upon it. The seeds of all Prunus species, found inside the fruits, contain poisonous substances and should never be eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant�s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

Propagation

Description: Prunus species may be rooted from dormant hardwood, softwood, semi-hardwood, or root cuttings. Semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings taken in summer root easiest. Germination of most seeds requires cold stratification. Some species need a period of after
Seed Collection: Collect fruit when it is filled out, firm, and its ripe color. Clean seeds from pulp and briefly air dry. (Seeds to be sown immediately in fall do not need drying.) Storage viability is maintained at 31-41 degrees.
Seed Treatment: For spring sowing, stratify seeds in moist sand for 30-60 days in a greenhouse, then cold stratify (36-41 degrees) for 60-90 days. Plant well before high temperatures.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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