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Prunus nigra

Common name: Canadian Plum Family: Rosaceae
Author: Aiton. Botanical references: 11, 43, 200
Synonyms:  
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Range: Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to Manitoba, south to Iowa, Ohio and Connecticut.
Habitat: Thickets, stream banks and woodland edges[43], in alluvial soils of river valleys and on limestone hills[82].
Edibility Rating (1-5): 4Medicinal Rating (1-5):1

Other Possible Synonyms:From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
P. americana var. lanata[G] P. americana var. mollis[G] P. americana var. nigra[B,P]
Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Canada Plum [L], Canadian Plum [B,P], Cerezo Negro [E], Wild Plum [L],
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
nigra = black;
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Rosales. Rose family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
Argentina; Us

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 9m. It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 4/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Canopy, Secondary.

Cultivar 'Acme': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Assiniboine': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Bounty': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Dandy': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Dropmore': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Grenville': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Norther': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Patterson's Pride': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Supreme': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

Fruit; Seed.

Fruit - raw or cooked[82, 159]. It can be eaten out of hand, used in pies, preserves etc, or can be dried for later use[171, 183, 226, 257]. The fruit is small and not very palatable[171]. A sour flavour with a thick skin[229], though the flavour is improved tremendously if the fruit is harvested after being touched by a few frosts[226]. The fruit is about 3cm in diameter and contains one large seed[200].
Seed - raw or cooked. The seed contains prussic acid and there have been cases recorded of children dying after eating fruits without removing the stones[226]. See the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Pectoral; Stomachic.

An infusion of the inner bark has been used in the treatment of colds[257].
An infusion of the bark has been used to settle the stomach when it will not retain food[257].
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[238].

Other Uses

Dye; Mordant; Wood.

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[168].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168].
The inner bark has been used as an astringent colour fixative in dyeing with other plants[257].
Wood - hard, moderately heavy, close grained[82, 229]. It weighs 43lb per cubic foot[235]. The tree is too small to be used commercially[229].

Cultivation details

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil, growing well on limestone[11, 200]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[1]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[11, 200].
Sometimes cultivated as a fruit tree in Canada and America, there are some named varieties that have been selected for their edible fruit[82].
This species is closely related to P. americana[11].
A bad companion for potatoes, the plum tree harbours aphids that can damage the potatoes[229].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[238].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[200]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[200]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[11, 200].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[200].
Layering in spring.

Cultivars

'Supreme'
The large fruit is up to 5cm long, the skin is blushed, the flesh yellow and of excellent dessert quality, it ripens in late August[183]. A medium upright, slightly spreading, moderately vigorous tree, it is free of winter injury at Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada[183]. This cultivar is probably of hybrid origin[183].
'Patterson's Pride'
The large fruit is up to 45cm in diameter, the skin is deep red, the flesh orange-yellow, of excellent quality for dessert and processing[183]. It ripens in mid-September and keeps well in ordinary storage[183]. A low-growing hardy tree that yields well, it originated in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and is probably a hybrid[183].
'Norther'
The small to medium-size fruit has a thin, tender, bright red skin with a light grey bloom, the flesh is yellowish, juicy and sweet, it is pleasant for dessert and fair for cooking[183]. It ripens very early[183]. A moderately spreading, strong, sturdy, hardy tree, it produces good crops annually and is suited to the northern prairie areas of Canada[183].
'Grenville'
The large fruit is up to 5cm long, the skin is red mottled with yellow, the flesh is golden yellow and of excellent quality for dessert[183]. It ripens in late August[183]. A very hardy tree, originating in Ontario, Canada, it is probably of hybrid origin[183].
'Dropmore' 'Dropmore Blue'
The medium to large fruit is about 30mm in diameter and 38mm long, the skin is purplish-red with a bluish bloom, the flesh is yellow, sweet and meaty[183]. Ripening in mid-Setember, it is suitable for dessert and preserves[183]. A vigorous, hardy and productive tree, it originated in Manitoba, Canada[183].
'Dandy'
The medium-size fruit is about 3cm long, the skin is yellow, blushed with red and the quality is very good[183]. It ripens early and is nice raw or cooked[183]. A prolific bearer, the tree originated in Valley River, Manitoba, Canada[183].
'Bounty'
The medium to large dark-red fruit has an orange-yellow flesh and is tender, sweet and juicy - the quality is fair for dessert and good for canning, it ripens in late August[183]. An upright, spreading tree, it is very hardy and productive and is suitable for growing in the cooler areas of its range[183]. It originated in Manitoba, Canada[183].
'Assiniboine'
A medium-size round fruit, the thin, astringent skin is yellow with a bright red flush and light bloom, the flesh is yellow, soft, very juicy, moderately sweet and of good quality[183]. It ripens in mid-August[183]. An upright, vigorous, productive tree, it is widely used in breeding for winter hardyness[183].
'Acme'
The medium-size spherical fruit is up to 5cm long, the skin is dark red, the flesh yellow and of excellent quality for dessert[183]. It ripens early[183]. A hardy tree that originated in Saskatchewan, Canada[183].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[43] Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950
A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[82] Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X
Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[159] McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977 ISBN 0-253-28925-4
A nice pocket guide to this region of America.

[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[226] Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989 ISBN 0889025649
Very good on identification for non-experts, the book also has a lot of information on plant uses.

[229] Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980 ISBN 0442238622
A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions.

[235] Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

Plant Passporting

Rich (michael@thewitchshaven.com) Wed Sep 26 16:58:15 2001

This information has been taken from DEFRA Guide to Plant Passporting. Which places restrictions on plants which can be traded in the UK and the EU mainly because they are carriers for pests and diseases.

Beta vulgaris (Beet), Chaenomeles (Ornamental quince, Japonica), Citrus (Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.), Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster), Crataegus (Hawthorn), Cydonia (Quince), Eriobotrya (Includes loquat), Fortunella and hybrids (Kumquat), Humulus lupulus (Hop (including ornamentals)), Malus (Apple (including ornamentals)), Mespilus (Medlar), Poncirus and hybrids (Ornamental citrus), Prunus (other than Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica) (Includes almond, apricot, cherry, damson, greengage, nectarine, peach, plum, sloe and ornamental/flowering varieties), Pyracantha (Firethorn), Pyrus (Pear (including ornamentals)), Solanum (stolon or tuber forming types) (Potato), Sorbus (other than Sorbus intermedia) (Includes rowan and whitebeam), Stranvaesia (Stranvaesia), Vitis (Grape, includes grape vine and ornamental grape).

Many other plants require pasporting for commercial growers, these include Abies, Allium ascalonicum, Allium cepa, Allium porrum, Allium schoenoprasum, Apium graveolens, Plants of the family Araceae, Argyranthemum, Aster, Brassica, Castanea, Capsicum annuum, Cucumis, Dendranthema, Dianthus and hybrids, Euphorbia, Exacum, Fragaria, Gerbera, Gypsophila, Helianthus annuus, Impatiens (all varieties of New Guinea hybrids), Lactuca, Larix, Leucanthemum, Lupinus, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Plants of the family Marantaceae, Medicago sativa, Plants of the family Musaceae, Nicotiana, Pelargonium, Persea, Phaseolus, Picea, Pinus, Platanus, Populus, Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica, Pseudotsuga, Quercus, Rubus, Plants of the family Solanaceae (other than plants of stolon or tuber forming species of Solanum and their hybrids), Solanum melongena, Spinacia, Plants of the family Strelitziaceae, Tanacetum, Tsuga, Verbena.

Cross references: Plants: Beta vulgaris, Humulus lupulus. Genera: Chaenomeles, Citrus, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Cydonia, Eriobotrya, Fortunella, Malus, Mespilus, Poncirus, Prunus, Pyracantha, Pyrus, Solanum, Sorbus, Stranvaesia, Vitis.

Prunus nigra

Ralph C. Frese (ralph@chicagolandcanoebase.com) Wed Apr 16 02:16:42 2003

April 15,2003-I have a specimen in my garden getting ready to bloom. It is manificent in full bloom with flowers about 1 1/2" in diameter. It is a wildling and has grown to about 25 feet tall gathered from local woods. Would like to proprogate more and reforest more of our woodlands with them. They seem to be rather scarce here around Chicago.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
  Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Prunus+nigra
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Prunus+nigra

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