Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

scrub plum

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Prunus geniculata

Family:

Rosaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

4-12 ft tall by 4-6 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms in late winter. Clonal.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant in a dry setting or grow as part of a scrub garden. This plant has very interesting zigzag branches which provide considerable winter interest.

Considerations:

Slow growing.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Division (naturally clonal).

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Short very dry periods ---to--- 1Stays wet

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Pollinated by bees.

Birds eat the fruit and are the primary dispersers.  

Native Habitats:

Scrub, scrubby high pine.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruit is said to be bitter.

General Comments:

This is an endangered species. Please acquire only from reputable nurseries.



Endemic to the central ridges, esp. the Lake Wales Ridge.