Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Rosales > Rosaceae > Prunus > Prunus rivularisPrunus rivularis (creek plum)Synonyms: Prunus reverchonii; Prunus tawakonia (homotypic); Prunus texana (heterotypic) Prunus rivularis, known variously by the common names creek plum, hog plum, or wild-goose plum is a thicket forming shrub. It prefers calcareous clay soil or limestone-based woodland soils. This deciduous plant belongs to the rose family Rosaceae, and is found mainly in the central United States. It is a shrub consisting of slender stems with umbel clusters of white blossoms. The fruit is a drupe that resembles a large berry; though it has a bitter taste, it serves as a source of food for birds and other wildlife. "Prunus" is Latin for plum, whereas "rivularis" means being near a stream. |
| 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] | 8.2 feet (2.5 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Prunus rivularis |
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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