Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

Chickasaw plum Rosaceae Prunus angustifolia Marshall Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: PRAN3
Leaf: Alternate, simple, oblong to lanceolate, fine rounded gland-tipped serrations, 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, shiny dark green above, dull and lighter beneath.
Flower: Small (1/3 inch), 5 white petals, reddish orange anthers, appear in clumps in early spring before the leaves.
Fruit: Drupe, bright yellow to red, round to oval, 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter, flesh juicy, ripening in late summer.
Twig: Slender, bright reddish brown, exfoliating grayish film, buds are small and reddish with loose scales, often with clusters of flower buds, leaf scars raised, may have thorny spurs.
Bark: Initially smooth reddish with numerous elongated light lenticels, later developing cracks and splits and becoming rough scaly and shallowly furrowed.
Form: A small shrubby tree, reaching heights of 20 feet, often found in dense thickets.
 Looks like: American plum - Mexican plum - beach plum - chokeberry

Chickasaw plum leaf image
Chickasaw plum flower image
Chickasaw plum fruit image
Chickasaw plum twig image
Chickasaw plum bark image
Chickasaw plum form image
Chickasaw plum map image

Additional Range Information: Prunus angustifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information