ExplorePlants

Mexican Plum

Prunus mexicana

The Mexican Plum is a lovely tree with beautiful white flowers and tasty plums. It grows in warm places and is great for birds and butterflies!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Mexican Plum has fragrant white to pale pink flowers that emerge before its green leaves in early spring. Its fruit ripens to a vibrant yellow, orange, or reddish-purple, often covered in a powdery bloom. The bark is dark, rough, and scaly.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPrunus
Mexican Plum
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Mexican Plum

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Its beautiful bark peels in scaly strips, revealing a reddish-brown color underneath!

Mexican Plum wood is very dense and was historically used to make durable tools!

The leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow and orange in the fall, a real autumn show!

Wildlife loves its sweet fruit so much that birds and mammals spread its seeds far and wide!

Special abilities

Ability

Drought Defender

Mexican Plum can survive dry spells because its deep root system helps it find water deep underground.

Ability

Early Bloomer

Mexican Plum flowers very early in spring, giving pollinators a vital food source when other plants are dormant.

Ability

Abundant Fruiter

Mexican Plum produces abundant, tart-sweet plums that are a delicious food source for many animals.

Measurements & details

Height
450-900 cm
Spread
300-600 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

eats the ripe plums

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses on leaves and twigs

Traits

Also known as

Mexican Plum Tree

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before trying to eat any fruit from trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Mexican Plum?

450-900 cm

How wide does Mexican Plum spread?

300-600 cm

How big are the flowers on Mexican Plum?

1-2 cm

When does Mexican Plum bloom?

Early spring

Is Mexican Plum edible?

Yes

Is Mexican Plum toxic?

None

What is Mexican Plum's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Mexican Plum pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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