Prunus mexicana
Mexican Plum

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked^[1]. The flesh is thick and juicy, but of varying palatability^[2]^[3]. Of little commercial value^[4]. The fruit is about 30mm in diameter and contains one large seed^[5]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The tree has been used as a rootstock for cultivated plums in N. America^[3].

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves^[6]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit^[6].

Wood - hard and heavy. It is seldom used commercially due to the tree's small size^[7].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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^[8].

There are no medicinal uses listed for Prunus mexicana.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Rootstock

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe^[5]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible^[5]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate^[9]. 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^[10]^[5]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame^[5].

Layering in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Prunus mexicana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil^[10]^[5]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present^[11]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position^[10]^[5]. Established plants are rather drought resistant^[3].

This species is closely related to P. americana^[10]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged^[8].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus^[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Prunus mexicana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Prunus mexicana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

? ^1.0^1.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1^2.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3^3.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
? ^5.0^5.1^5.2^5.3^5.4^5.5^5.6^5.7^5.8^5.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? ^6.0^6.1^6.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
? ^7.0^7.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
? ^8.0^8.1^8.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
? ^10.0^10.1^10.2^10.3^10.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

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[PFAFimport-177-1] ? ^1.0^1.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-82-2] ? ^2.0^2.1^2.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)

[PFAFimport-227-3] ? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3^3.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)

[PFAFimport-183-4] ? ^4.0^4.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)

[PFAFimport-200-5] ? ^5.0^5.1^5.2^5.3^5.4^5.5^5.6^5.7^5.8^5.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-168-6] ? ^6.0^6.1^6.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)

[PFAFimport-229-7] ? ^7.0^7.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)

[PFAFimport-238-8] ? ^8.0^8.1^8.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)

[PFAFimport-113-9] ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)

[PFAFimport-11-10] ? ^10.0^10.1^10.2^10.3^10.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-1-11] ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

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Article is incomplete	Yes +
Article requires citations	No +
Article requires cleanup	Yes +
Belongs to family	Rosaceae +
Belongs to genus	Prunus +
Functions as	Rootstock +
Has common name	Mexican Plum +
Has drought tolerance	Tolerant +
Has edible part	Fruit + and Seeds +
Has edible use	Unknown use +
Has environmental tolerance	Drought +
Has fertility type	Insects +
Has flowers of type	Hermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone	6 +
Has image	Prunus mexicana-fruits-leaves.jpg +
Has lifecycle type	Perennial +
Has material part	Unknown part +
Has material use	Dye +
Has mature height	12 +
Has primary image	Prunus mexicana-fruits-leaves.jpg +
Has search name	prunus mexicana + and x +
Has shade tolerance	Light shade +
Has soil ph preference	Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preference	Clay +
Has soil teloamyture preference	Loamy +
Has soil tesandyture preference	Sandy +
Has soil water retention preference	Well drained +
Has sun preference	Full sun +
Has taxonomy name	Prunus mexicana +
Has water requirements	moderate +
Inhabits ecosystem niche	Canopy + and Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreen	Deciduous +
Is herbaceous or woody	Woody +
Is taxonomy type	Species +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soil	No +
Uses mature size measurement unit	Meters +