Beach Plum
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Beach Plum
Prunus maritima
The Beach Plum is a small shrub that grows near the ocean. It has beautiful white flowers in spring and tasty plums in late summer that are great for making jams and jellies!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Beach Plum is a hardy, sprawling shrub with dark green, somewhat leathery leaves. In spring, it is adorned with clusters of small, five-petaled white flowers. These develop into tart, round purple-red fruits, resembling miniature plums, by late summer.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPrunus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Beach Plum fruit was a vital food and medicine source for Native Americans for centuries!
Its beautiful spring flowers look like tiny white cherry blossoms covering the coastal shrubs!
The fruit becomes even sweeter after the first autumn frost, perfect for delicious jellies!
This amazing plant can live for over 50 years, helping stabilize coastal dunes for decades!
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Guardian
Beach Plum can thrive in salty sea spray and sandy soil because its tough, waxy leaves protect it from drying out.
Ability
Dune Anchor
Beach Plum has strong, widely spreading roots that grip loose sand, helping to prevent precious coastal dunes from eroding.
Ability
Thirsty Survivor
Beach Plum can grow in very dry, nutrient-poor sandy conditions thanks to its deep roots that seek out underground water.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-200 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
feasts on ripe Beach Plum fruits.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on young twigs and foliage.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
Beach Plum Shrub
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after touching plants, and don't eat anything unless an adult says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Beach Plum?
50-200 cm
How wide does Beach Plum spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Beach Plum?
1-1.5 cm
When does Beach Plum bloom?
Spring
Is Beach Plum edible?
Yes
Is Beach Plum toxic?
Mild
What is Beach Plum's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Beach Plum pollinated?
Insect
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