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Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia Marshall
(PROO-nus an-gus-ti-FOLE-ee-a)
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General:
Breathtakingly
beautiful in early spring when clouds of tiny white flowers cover the
shiny branches, the Chickasaw Plum is a small deciduous tree about 8m.
(25ft.) tall. Bright new leaves begin to appear while still in
flower. Prunus is the genus of plums and cherries, members of the
rose family. The species name, angustifolia, means ‘narrow leaf.’
Bare branches may be
forced into early bloom for use in flower arrangements. The fruit
is quite sour, but makes good jelly and wine. It also provides
food for wildlife.
Flowers/Fruit:
Small white flowers
cover the almost bare branches in February or early March, depending on
the winter temperatures and area of the state. About
1cm across, the flowers have 5 petals and many stamens. The juicy
fruits are bright red to yellow, 1/5-2.5 cm. (3/4 -1 ¼ in.) in
diameter, and mature in August.
Leaves/Stems:
The alternate, simple,
lanceolate leaves have serrated margins. The tips of the teeth
have tiny red glands (seen only with magnification) which distinguish
it from other species. The leaves tend to fold upward from the
midrib.The angled, spreading branches are armed with thorns. The
reddish brown bark has horizontal lenticles, typical of cherries and
plums.
Distribution:
This tree tends to grow
in thickets in sandy soil along fences and the edges of woodlands from
Sarasota County northward along the Coastal Plain from Florida to
Mississippi and New Jersey.
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