Hello! We're harvesting plums off these shrubby trees. In the March, the white fragrant flowers clothe the plants and now there's sweet fruit to be picked. I'm curious if they're Prunus americana. There are more than one tree in the area that bear all the same type fruit and have the same characteristics so I'm not inclined to think they're a hybrid cultivar. Fruits are 2-3 cm. Turn yellow when ripe. Leaves are small compared to Italians. No thorns noted. Any input would be great. Thanks!
Prunus americana isn't native, so these were likely planted by someone. From a little bit of familiarity with the American plum, these do look like a fair match--but, could indeed by a selection of such or a hybrid.
Thanks Daniel. Looking at Pojar and e-flora its not listed as a native. Yet, here it is. If its used as rootstock years ago when the pioneers first arrived to our area then possibly that is the source. Its all over the island.
How about Prunus cerasifera instead? Similar-sized fruits, and noted as an exotic species in BC. Cherry plum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It appears you're heading me in the right direction. Looking at Vilmorin tree seeds site, they show pics of the tree with fruits and the seed of Prunus cerasifera myrobolana. Okay so this purple beastie is also a member of the same group? Purple fruits give seed of same size but with some minor stippling. Healthy trees. No thorns.
Fruits can range from purple-red to yellow (and sometimes have a glaucous coating): Prunus cerasifera in Flora of North America @ efloras.org That the plant lacks thorns is also suggestive of Prunus cerasifera over Prunus americana.
