Prunus alleghaniensis, the Allegheny plum, is a species of plum native to eastern North America.
Description Prunus alleghaniensis is a shrub or small tree reaching heights of or more. The twigs sometimes have thorns and the bark is fissured in older specimens. The leaves are long, with finely toothed margins and often a long and pointed tip.
The flowers are plentiful and white, eventually turning pink. The dark purple fruit is up to about wide, covered by a whitish bloom.
Similar species Prunus maritima on the east coast is similar but lacks pointed leaves and has larger fruit.
Taxonomy Thomas Conrad Porter described the species in 1877. The specific epithet refers to the Allegheny Mountains, a subrange of the Appalacians where it was found.
Distribution and habitat The species is native to the Appalachian Mountains from New York to Kentucky and North Carolina, plus the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. There are old reports of it growing also in New Jersey and Connecticut, but it now appears to have been extirpated in those two states.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map It is typically found in elevations between and is uncommon in moist woodland.
Uses The fruit is made into pies, preserves and jelly.
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