Allegheny plum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allegheny plum |
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| 1913 illustration | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prunus
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| Species: |
alleghaniensis
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The Allegheny plum, known scientifically as Prunus alleghaniensis, is a type of New World plum. It grows naturally in the Appalachian Mountains of North America. You can find it from New York down to Kentucky and North Carolina. It also grows in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. In the past, there were reports of this plum growing in New Jersey and Connecticut. However, it seems to have disappeared from those two states.
What Does It Look Like?
The Allegheny plum is usually a shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 3 to 12 feet (around 90 to 365 centimeters) tall. Its leaves are typically 2 to 3.5 inches (about 5 to 9 centimeters) long. They usually have a long, pointed tip. The edges of the leaves are finely toothed, like a tiny saw. Sometimes, the twigs of the plant have small thorns. Older trees have bark that is cracked or grooved.
The plant produces many white flowers that later turn a pretty pink color. The fruit is a dark reddish-purple and about half an inch (12 millimeters) wide. It often has a whitish, powdery coating on it.
Where Does It Grow?
You won't usually find the Allegheny plum in very wet forests. It prefers to grow in higher places. These areas are typically between 1,200 and 2,000 feet (about 365 to 610 meters) above sea level.
What Is It Used For?
People often use the fruit of the Allegheny plum to make tasty preserves and jelly.
See also
In Spanish: Prunus alleghaniensis para niños
