Prunus hortulana
| Prunus hortulana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 30' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prunus hortulana (common name: hog plum)
Propagation: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[2]. 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[3][1].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[1].
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[3][1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[4]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3][1].
Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit in Southern N. America, there are some named varieties[5][6]. This tree is of very little value for its fruit in Britain, requiring hotter summers than are usually experienced here if it is to fruit well[4].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[7].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Southern and Central N. America - Indiana to Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Texas.
Habitat: Bottomlands, thickets and woodland edges[5], in rich moist soils[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Thin-skinned[9] with an agreeable flavour, it can be eaten out of hand or be made into pies, preserves etc[6]. Another report says that it is small and not very palatable, and is only used in preserves[10]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter and contains one large seed[1]. The fruit is up to 25mm long according to other reports[9][11].
Flower buds[12]. No more details are given.
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: 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[7].
Usage: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[13].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[13].
Wood - heavy, hard, strong. Used for turnery[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.