American Plum

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

1

Native Status

❌ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

S

CEC Eco-Regions

8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.1 – Eastern Great Lakes and Hudson Lowlands

Rarity Notes

Ranked S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario and G5 globally. Not SARA-listed. In Quebec, considered introduced (SNA) per VASCAN and NatureServe, though herbarium specimens from the Gatineau area and historical records suggest occasional persistence from cultivation or naturalization. Listed as Threatened in Vermont and unrankable in New Hampshire.

S22 G5, S4 ON, SNA QC; S26 not SARA; S1 introduced QC; S61 Threatened VT, SU NH; S54 QC specimens

Rarity Ranks

QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S4 – Apparently Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

American plum occupies forest edges, stream banks, fence rows, and disturbed thickets across the Mixed Wood Plains, forming dense suckering colonies in mesic to dry upland soils. In the Ottawa region it is restricted to a single native site at Chaudiere Rapids with additional adventive populations. The species thrives in early-successional openings and anthropogenic edges, tolerating a wide range of soils including calcareous substrates.

S10 forest edges, thickets; S7 thickets on sandy open to forested sites; S61 forest edges, meadows, shrublands; S62 RS at Chaudiere Rapids; S4 woodland edges, stream banks

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Living Mulch, Pollinator Attractor, Wildlife Habitat

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = Medium (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S10 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only); S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Living Mulch: S61 keyword match: forms? colon(?:y|ies) (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)] | Wildlife Habitat: S72 Hemenway (tables: 7-2, pp. 116)]

Notes

Functions as an understory tree in woodland garden sunny edge plantings. Provides wildlife habitat through fruit production and dense thicket structure offering nesting cover. The suckering habit creates natural fortress barriers. Early spring bloom provides critical early-season nectar and pollen for emerging pollinators. Best sited at forest edges or in hedgerow plantings where its tendency to form thickets is an asset.

S29 Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; S72 wildlife_habitat Table 7-2; S64 pollinator attractor; S4 nesting cover

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

Click here for more info →

Category

Antiasthmatic, Astringent, Anthelmintic, Dermatological Aid, Disinfectant, Diuretic, Oral Aid

S29 Antiasthmatic, Astringent, Disinfectant, Diuretic; S28 Anthelmintic, Dermatological Aid, Disinfectant, Oral Aid, Cough Medicine, Kidney Aid, Urinary Aid

Notes

Inner bark tea used as a wash for skin problems and as a mouthwash for sores. Chippewa used compound poultice of inner bark as a disinfectant on cuts and wounds, and decoction of bark as a disinfecting wash. Bark is astringent, diuretic, and pectoral; used to make a cough syrup by the Cherokee. Infusion of bark taken for kidney and bladder complaints. Chippewa used compound decoction of root as an anthelmintic. Infusion of twigs used in the treatment of asthma.

S29 bark tea, poultice, astringent, diuretic, antiasthmatic; S28 Cherokee cough syrup, kidney/bladder aid, Chippewa disinfectant/anthelmintic

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

Click here for more info →

✅ Edible    ✅ Commonly Eaten

Foraging Notes

Fruits eaten fresh, cooked in pies, made into jellies, preserves, sauces, and dried for winter storage by numerous Indigenous peoples including Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chippewa, Crow, and Dakota nations. The flesh is succulent and juicy though somewhat acidic with tough skin; best forms are pulpy and pleasant tasting. Seeds edible but should not be consumed if bitter due to cyanogenic glycoside content. Fruit approximately 25 mm diameter.

S28 32 food uses; S29 flesh succulent, edibility 3/5; S4 fruits for jams, jellies, preserves, pies, fruit leather

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

All parts except the flesh and skin of the ripe fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin and prunasin) that release hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide) when tissues are damaged. The toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste and is usually present in too small a quantity to cause harm. Very bitter seeds or fruit should not be eaten. Wilted leaves may concentrate cyanide and pose a risk to livestock.

S29 HCN in leaves and seeds, amygdalin and prunasin; S4 all parts except fruit flesh/skin contain hydrocyanic acid; S11 Toxicity=Slight

Seed Source

• Arboquebecium
• Oak Summit Nursery