Allegheny Plum

Allegheny plum (Prunus allegheniensis) is a rare shrub or small tree that sometimes forms thickets in open areas, or lives in the understory of sparce dry woodlands. It grows up to 4 meters maximum. The branches often have short stiff lateral branchlets. The white nickel-sized flowers are present in late April and early May. The fruit that follows, and is pictured here, grows to the size of a large Bing cherry.

The genus Prunus is in the rose family (Rosaceae). Included in this genus are cherries, plums, the peach and apricot. There are 10 species of Prunus native to Pennsylvania, including four species referred to as plums and six as cherries.

The Allegheny plum is a rare species throughout its range, which is largely within the central Appalachian Mountains. In Pennsylvania it is considered to be a threatened species due to it's restricted distribution and habitat requirements. It has been recorded from 10 counties, but most sites are known from just 4 counties in the southcentral region of the state. It's habitats are usually dry, warm and open. Shale barrens and sand barrens are examples of habitats utilized by this species, including natural area properties owned and protected by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in the Sideling Hill Creek watershed in Bedford and Fulton counties.

Today's photograph was taken by naturalist and photographer Paul Wiegman.

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