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| Oklahoma Plum, Sour Plum, Sand Plum Prunus gracilis Rosaceae Oklahoma plum prefers a sunny exposure and the dry slopes of exposed hills and sparse woods, fencerows and fields from the Texas panhandle into east Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Tennessee. It is a straggling, thicket-forming shrub having slender, slightly spreading stems. It flowers in March, prior to leafing out. The flowers are abundant and showy, several to a cluster on lateral umbels. Its red fruits mature from June through August, displaying a waxy greyish coating (bloom). Although quite pulpy, it is considered to be of poor eating quality as a fresh fruit. However, they were dried by Native Americans for winter use. Oklahoma plum, which is variously known as sour plum or sand plum, was introduced into cultivation in 1916.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
Exposure: sun Flower Color: white Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: yellowish red to red drupe Height: 1.5 to 6 feet, rarely much larger Width: 3 to 6 feet, thicket-forming Plant Character: deciduous
Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: adaptable Additional Comments:
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