Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
3 ratings

Tuesday - November 28, 2006

From: DALLAS, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Flowering and fruting of Texas wild plums and where they grow
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Could you please tell me about Texas wild plum trees—when they flower, when they bear fruit and where they grow.

ANSWER:

There are ten different species of native wild plums that occur in Texas. All of the plums bloom in the spring and produce fruit in the summer. Six of these are found in or very near Dallas County. These six are:

Mexican or Bigtree Plum (Prunus mexicana)—blooms February-April; fruiting in July-September
Chicasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia)—blooms February-May; fruiting in August-September
Creek Plum or Hog Plum (Prunus rivularis)—blooms March; fruiting July-September
Flatwoods Plum (Prunus umbellata)—blooms March-April; fruiting in July-August
Oklahoma Plum (Prunus gracilis)—blooms March-May; fruiting in June-August
Munson Plum (Prunus munsoniana)—blooms March; fruiting in summer

There are four species of plums that grow south and/or west of Dallas County in Texas. These are:
Murray Plum (Prunus murrayana)—blooms March-April; fruiting time unknown; found in Davis Mountains of the Trans-Pecos in Jeff Davis County; very rare
Dwarf Plum or Texas Almond (Prunus minutiflora)—blooms March; fruiting in June; found in Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plains
Sand Plum or Texas Plum (Prunus texana)—blooms February-May; fruiting in June; found in Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plains
Havard's Plum (Prunus havardii)—blooms in spring; fruiting in July; found in Trans-Pecos area

 

More Trees Questions

Removal of Ashe juniper trees
April 19, 2015 - I have 15 acres with scattered huge oak and elm trees with tens of thousands of Ashe Juniper (cedar) trees 2” to 10” in diameter growing within the drip zone of the hardwoods. How do I take out the c...
view the full question and answer

Newly planted nuttall oaks from Houston TX
November 16, 2012 - I recently purchased two Nuttall Oak Trees in Houston Texas (October). They are both 15' or taller. I planted them within 24 hours of being delivered, watered them in, staked them, and within 3-4 d...
view the full question and answer

Fast-growing shade tree for Corona CA
September 17, 2014 - Hi, I'm looking for a fast growing shade tree. I live in Corona CA so it will need to do well in a lot of sun, moderate winds and clay soil. Thanks so much for your suggestions.
view the full question and answer

Transplanting live oaks in summer
July 17, 2008 - I have a need to transplant a live oak tree on a home building site. The need is now, the house is almost completely built out and the owners did not prep the site by moving trees or prepping them to ...
view the full question and answer

A suggestion for a native small tree for San Diego
September 23, 2010 - Another good suggestion for a native small tree for San Diego - Garrya veatchii - Southern Silktassle. It's really gorgeous!
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.