Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Rosales > Rosaceae > Prunus > Prunus gracilisPrunus gracilis (Oklahoma plum)Synonyms: Prunus normalis Prunus gracilis, called the Oklahoma plum, sour plum, and sand plum, is native to the south-central United States (eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, southwestern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana). Gracilis refers to 'slender branches'. Prunus gracilis grows up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall, has five-petaled leaves, and fruits ripen June-August. Its red fruits are considered poor for eating, but Native Americans dried them for consumption during winter. It grows in clusters and thickets. |
| Edible [1] | May be edible. See the Plants For A Future link below for details. | | Flower Type [1] | Hermaphrodite | | Hazards [1] | Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. | | Leaf Type [1] | Deciduous | | Lifespan [2] | Perennial | | Pollinators [1] | Insects, Lepidoptera | | Structure [1] | Shrub | | Usage [1] | A green dye can be obtained from the leaves;
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit; |  | | Height [1] | 3.936 feet (1.2 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Prunus gracilis |
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0
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