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Saving Cherished Slow Foods, One Product
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American Wild Plum
Prunus Americana (including 26 subspecies)
The American Plum is reddish, yellowish or sometimes an orange
blend of both. The sub-varieties differ in season, size, shape,
and flavor. The most common subspecies are round-oval shaped,
and all have a thick skin, a sweet flesh and a clinging, oblong,
and large stone.
This native fruit spans from Maine to Florida in the east,
northward from Mexico along the eastern slope of the Rocky
Mountains in the west, and is also found in the Great Lakes
region. Wild plums generally grow along roadsides and riverbanks,
and at woodland and farmland borders. As urban sprawl increasingly
threatens these areas, the wild plum is put at risk. In the
19th century it was documented that the American plum produced
fruit annually, but in the 21st century the trees are producing
fruit every other year.
Records of the wild plum date back to the 17th century. In
Oregon, the local Indian tribes gathered the ripe fruit and
dried it for winter and to garnish their wild fowl and game.
The Dakota Indians made pudding out of the wild plums. They
would serve this special dessert only during naming ceremonies
and other important events. The Dakota Indians developed small
orchards that they would move to at the end of summer. It
was also believed that the bark, leaves, and flowers had medicinal
properties.
American Plums are not commercially sold, but you may find
them at local farmers markets when they are in season or find
a wild tree of your own. The fruit is commonly used in jellies,
jams, spreads and sauces for wild game.
Producers
Nature Hills Nursery
3334 North 88th Plaza
Omaha, NE 68134
1-888-864-7663
www.naturehills.com
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