Prunus americana
American Plum
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Prunus genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw, cooked in pies etc or used in preserves[1][9][19][20][8]. The flesh is succulent and juicy, though it is rather acid with a tough skin[22][5]. The best forms are pulpy and pleasant tasting[8][13]. The fruit is best cooked[5], and it can also be dried for later use[22]. The fruit is about 25mm in diameter and contains one large seed[10]. Seed - raw or cooked[22][8]. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A tea made from the scraped inner bark is used as a wash to treat various skin problems and as a mouth wash to treat sores[11]. A poultice of the inner bark is disinfectant and is used as a treatment on cuts and wounds[16]. The bark is astringent, diuretic and pectoral[16]. It has been used to make a cough syrup[16]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, kidney and bladder complaints[16]. An infusion of the twigs has been used in the treatment of asthma[16]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[15].
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Disinfectant
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Miscellany
- Product or use
- Poultice
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[7]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[7]. A red dye can be obtained from the roots[16]. This species is widely used as a rootstock for cultivated plums in North America[6]. The tough, elastic twigs can be bound into bundles and used as brooms for sweeping the floor[16]. Trees often grow wild along streams, where their roots tend to prevent soil erosion[12]. Wood - heavy, hard, close-grained, strong[21]. It weighs 45lb per cubic foot[13]. Of no commercial value because the trunk is too small[13].
- Product or use
- Broom
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- N. America - New York to Florida, extending westwards as far as the Rocky Mountains.
- Habitat
- Rich soils in mixed deciduous woodland, by streams, on the borders of swamps and in hedgerows[17][20][21].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[10]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[10]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Difficult, if not impossible. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Difficult, it not impossible. Suckers in late winter.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil, doing well on limestone[3][10]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[1]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3][10]. Trees are probably hardy to as low as -50°c when fully dormant[6]. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild[14], it is cultivated for its edible fruit in N. America, where there are many named varieties[1][3][18]. It flowers well in Britain but rarely fruits well here[3]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[15]. Plants often produce suckers at the roots and form thickets[13]. The branches are brittle[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00
Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9