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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. ^ a b c d e 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.

External links