Chickasaw plum

Prunus angustifolia

Family: Rosaceae

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

ripe fruit flesh (not the pits)

Hazardous parts

leaves, seeds (pits), stems

Preparation

NC State: unpitted fruit should not be blended, and crushing or chewing the pits is the risk. Do not eat leaves, stems or pits.

Hazard type

cyanogenic glycosides

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

NC State tags this species as a problem for pets; the ASPCA lists plum (Prunus domestica) as toxic. There is no ASPCA page for this species. Keep it away from dogs and cats.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: 'Plum' is also the common name of Prunus domestica (the ASPCA's plum page). 'Sand plum' and 'mountain cherry' (NRCS alternate names) also name other Prunus species; use the Latin name..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 5a to 8b (NC State)
Water needs: USDA NRCS: 'The plums are drought tolerant once established.'
Mature size: Height 4 to 15 ft, width 4 to 20 ft (NC State); NRCS: shrub 3.3 to 9.8 ft, or small tree 14 to 25 ft at maturity. Spacing: NC State: promptly remove root suckers to prevent spread. No planting distance was found.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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