Allegheny Plum / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Allegheny Plum (Prunus alleghaniensis)

The white flowers of this species are 1-1.5 cm in diameter. Photo Credit: Tom Ward
  • Global Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • State: CT, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV
  • Nature Serve ID: 138719
  • Lifeform: Tree, Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/25/1988
Description:

Prunus alleghaniensis is a rare small tree that can grow as a shrub and sometimes form extensive thickets. Its height is up to 4-5 m; young shoots are pubescent, becoming lustrous red during the first winter, then darkening to nearly black. It may grow either unarmed or armed with spinescent lateral branchlets. Leaves are rather thick and firm, dark green above and paler below, finely and sharply serrate with glandular teeth, furnished with two large, rather conspicuous glands at base; young leaves pubescent, mature ones puberulous on upper surface. Their lower surface either glabrous (with few hairs in axils of veins) or rufescent, especially along midrib and veins. There are a number of recognized varieties of this species, one of which is also in the National Collection under the Holden Arboretum (Prunus alleghaniensis var. davisii).

Where is Allegheny Plum (Prunus alleghaniensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Shrublands and borders of woods; dry ridges and slopes.Forming extensive thickets on moist soil.

Distribution:

Connecticut--only four stations known:1. Lisbon (eastern CT)2. Bostford (western CT)3. Bridgeport (western CT)4. Lyme (western CT) Pennsylvania1. Tusseys Mountain (Huntington Co.)2. All

States & Provinces:

Allegheny Plum can be found in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Which CPC Partners conserve Allegheny Plum (Prunus alleghaniensis)?

  • North Carolina Botanical Garden

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add
    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Holden Forests and Gardens

    Not Sponsored

    Silver Sponsor

    The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

    Assigned
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    • 10/08/2020
      • Tissue Culture

    The Arnold Arboretum found that: Propagation proved difficult. Seed germination trials have never been performed at the Arnold Arboretum because of a lack of fresh viable seed. Propagation from softwood cuttings: May-Jul in 50/50 sand-perlite, under fog or mist, with 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA treatment (root in very small percentages, poor rooting, don't survive). Grafts onto P. americana, P. avium, P. mahaleb (side veneer or whip-and-tongue) take, but grow weak, with a tendency for the understock to overwhelm the scion.

    • 10/08/2020
      • Propagation Research

    The Arnold Arboretum found that: Propagation proved difficult. Seed germination trials have never been performed at the Arnold Arboretum because of a lack of fresh viable seed. Propagation from softwood cuttings: May-Jul in 50/50 sand-perlite, under fog or mist, with 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA treatment (root in very small percentages, poor rooting, don't survive). Grafts onto P. americana, P. avium, P. mahaleb (side veneer or whip-and-tongue) take, but grow weak, with a tendency for the understock to overwhelm the scion.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    At present, population seems to be secure. However, it is not abundant (except in a few local areas) and has a fairly narrow range in two portions (mid-Appalachians and north-central Michigan).

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    Primary threats and causes of decline (info. for Prunus alleghaniensis var. davisii) is through habitat succession due to fire suppression. (Higman 1996)

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    Unknown

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    The Arnold Arboretum found that: Propagation proved difficult. Seed germination trials have never been performed at the Arnold Arboretum because of a lack of fresh viable seed. Propagation from softwood cuttings: May-Jul in 50/50 sand-perlite, under fog or mist, with 2,500-5,000 ppm K-IBA treatment (root in very small percentages, poor rooting, don't survive). Grafts onto P. americana, P. avium, P. mahaleb (side veneer or whip-and-tongue) take, but grow weak, with a tendency for the understock to overwhelm the scion.

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    None known

    Irina Kadis
    • 01/01/2010

    Conduct surveys to locate any additional occurrences of the species. Research into nursery propagation of the species and reintroduction into historical sites should be continued. Research regarding disturbance factors that maintain the necessary open conditions should be undertaken.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Prunus alleghaniensis
    Authority Porter
    Family Rosaceae
    CPC Number 3642
    ITIS 24766
    USDA PRAL5
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Alleghany plum | Allegheny plum | Allegheny sloe
    Associated Scientific Names Prunus alleghaniensis | Prunus umbellata
    Distribution Connecticut--only four stations known:1. Lisbon (eastern CT)2. Bostford (western CT)3. Bridgeport (western CT)4. Lyme (western CT) Pennsylvania1. Tusseys Mountain (Huntington Co.)2. All
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Connecticut SH
    Massachusetts SNA
    Maryland S2
    Michigan S3
    North Carolina S1?
    New Jersey SNR
    New York SR
    Pennsylvania S2S3
    Tennessee SNR
    Virginia S3
    West Virginia S3
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    The white flowers of this species are 1-1.5 cm in diameter. Photo Credit: Tom Ward

    A full view of this small but old tree in flower. Photo Credit: Tom Ward

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