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

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.

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. 1 2 3 4 5 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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