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
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^ 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.
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^ 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.
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Prunus gracilis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
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^ "Prunus gracilis". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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^ Wright, William Franklin (1915). Native American species of Prunus. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture. p. 58.
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^ "Prunus gracilis Engelm. & Gray". Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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^ "Prunus gracilis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
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^ "USDA Plants Database".
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^ "Oklahoma Plum, Sour Plum, Sand Plum". Texas A&M University. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
