Chickasaw plum is a native of the Southeastern U.S. and they're in bloom right now in Central Florida. Like most plums they are deciduous, and when they bloom in spring the branches are completely covered with white blossoms. 
The flowers are followed by small 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter yellow to reddish plums that are eaten by humans and wildlife alike. Fruits can be eaten fresh, made into jelly, or dried.
Prunus angustifolia has a tendency to sucker readily so it's not often used in formal landscaping but it's an ideal small tree for naturalized areas, background plantings, or mixed borders. The trees grow to about 20 foot tall in USDA Zones 5 through 9. If allowed to sucker freely, it develops more of a shrubby habit. They are very drought-tolerant once established.
The flowers are a good food source for honeybees. Supposedly butterflies are also attracted to the blooms but in my yard they bloom before the butterfly populations have started increasing in the spring.
6 comments:
Lovely... your photos of Prunus exhale Spring! I can imagine their fragrance and the sound of bees. The first bite into the fruit is yummy too! I should plant some plums... I had one but it died.
We intend to plant a few of these on our Tree Farm to feed the animals. 99% of our trees are pine trees, which don't provide much food for them.
That tree in full bloom is stunning. The fact that it is native and has desirable fruit just makes it even better. If only I had more room.....
I love those branches fully covered by blossoms! Beautiful! Does the flower have sweet scent as well? That would be a plus!
What a stunning native when it's blooming ... such gorgeous flowers. I can only imagine the scent!
The tart edible fruits of Prunus angustifolia and Prunus umbellata are ripe and ready for wild foraging.Tn Tree Farm Nursery
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