Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Mexican Plum, Bigtree Plum, Inch Plum
Mexican Plum, Bigtree Plum, Inch PlumPrunus mexicanaFull to part sun; medium to moderately dry moisture level; prefers rich loamy soil but tolerates clay, clay loam, sandy, and sandy loam soils; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH.15-30 feet height by 12-20 feet wide; white or pale pink flowers in May; fruit is yellow to mauve to purple in late summer to fall.Growth Rate: SlowMaintenance: No serious insect or disease problems. Develops a strong structure with little pruning. Best to locate the tree where falling fruit litter will not cause a problem.Propagation: Germination Code E. Seeds rapidly lose viability if allowed to dry out after collection.Native Region: Occurs in Coastal Plain, Highland Rim, and Central Basin provinces in Tennessee.This small, upright flowering plum is considered to be an ornamental tree. In addition to being non-suckering, it is a show stopper when in bloom with its fragrant, showy white flowers. It produces edible fruit that can be eaten fresh or made into preserves. It has thorns and a single trunk, with a blue-gray bark with darker, horizontal striations. Drought tolerant once established. The species serves as a stock for grafting of cultivated varieties. Occurs naturally in thin woods, river bottoms and prairies. Flowers attract bees and butterflies. Fruit attracts birds and mammals. Larval host to the tiger swallowtail butterfly and cecropia moth.tree;sun;medium;loam |
 Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/  Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/  Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/  Photo Courtesy of Southeastern Flora http://www.southeasternflora.com/  Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/ |
Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 