Prunus umbellata: Country Or Region Of Origin
Eastern U.S.A., NC
Plant Profile: Prunus umbellata
Taxonomy: Prunus umbellataNames
Black Sloe, Flatwoods Plum, Hog Plum, Sloe Plum
Phonetic Spelling:PROO-nis um-bell-AY-tuh
Genus:Prunus
Species:umbellata
Family:Rosaceae
The Flatwoods plum is a small, native deciduous tree or shrub belonging to the rose family. Characterized by their stout, short trunks and dense, flat-topped canopies, these plants can quickly develop into thickets if not properly managed. They typically thrive in upland, dry, sandy, and rocky woodlands and possess a moderate tolerance to drought conditions. With a lifespan of up to 40 years, Flatwoods plums require additional water and shade when grown in sandy soils.
Prunus umbellata Feature Summary
Prunus umbellata Image Gallery
Tags
#deciduous
#small tree
#drought tolerant
#wildlife plant
#native tree
#native shrub
#native bees
#flowering tree
#NC native
#edible fruits
#pollinator plant
#Braham Arboretum
#edible tree
#larval host plant
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#bird friendly
#mammals
#food source soft mast fruit
#butterfly friendly
#butterfly larvae
#problem for cats
#pollinators
#pollinator garden
#problem for dogs
#bee friendly
#problem for horses
#audubon
#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly
Similar Plants
Prunus umbellata Feature Summary
Attributes
Eastern U.S.A., NC
This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Native bees are attracted to the flowers.
Plums are used to make jellies and jams.
Woody
Fruit
Fruits are available August-September and are black in color.
Drupe
Black
Edible
< 1 inch
Flowers
Rounded umbles white to cream late-blooming flowers. Flowers bloom March-April.
White
Cream/Tan
Spring
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Deciduous
Dense
Horizontal
Medium
Thorns
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Leaves
Deciduous
Green
Simple
Alternate
Elliptical
Ovate
Serrate
1-3 inches
Stem
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Accent
Flowering Tree
Drought
Meadow
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Bees
Small Mammals
Specialized Bees
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Prunus umbellata Image Gallery
Prunus umbellata Attributes
Prunus umbellata: Wildlife Value
This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Native bees are attracted to the flowers.
Prunus umbellata: Edibility
Plums are used to make jellies and jams.
Prunus umbellata: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Prunus umbellata Fruit
Prunus umbellata: Fruit Description
Fruits are available August-September and are black in color.
Prunus umbellata: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Prunus umbellata: Fruit Color
Black
Prunus umbellata: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Prunus umbellata: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Prunus umbellata: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Prunus umbellata Flowers
Prunus umbellata: Flower Description
Rounded umbles white to cream late-blooming flowers. Flowers bloom March-April.
Prunus umbellata: Flower Color
Cream/Tan
White
Prunus umbellata: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Prunus umbellata: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Prunus umbellata: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Prunus umbellata Whole Plant Traits
Prunus umbellata: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Prunus umbellata: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Prunus umbellata: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Prunus umbellata: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Prunus umbellata: Appendage
Prickles
Spines
Tendrils
Thorns
Prunus umbellata Cultural Conditions
Prunus umbellata: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Prunus umbellata: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Prunus umbellata: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Prunus umbellata: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Prunus umbellata: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Prunus umbellata Leaves
Prunus umbellata: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Color
Green
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Prunus umbellata: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Prunus umbellata: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Prunus umbellata Stem
Prunus umbellata: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Prunus umbellata Landscape
Prunus umbellata: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Prunus umbellata: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Prunus umbellata: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Prunus umbellata: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Prunus umbellata: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Prunus umbellata: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
