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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

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Tom Ward

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Prunus alleghaniensis

Family:	Rosaceae
Common Names:	Alleghany plum, Allegheny plum, Allegheny sloe
Author:	Porter
Growth Habit:	Tree, Shrub
CPC Number:	3642

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Photographer: Tom Ward
tomward[at]arnarb.harvard.edu

Prunus alleghaniensis is Fully Sponsored

Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is:

The North Carolina Arboretum

Irina Kadis contributed to this Plant Profile.

Prunus alleghaniensis

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).

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

Connecticut
Maryland
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia

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)
� Pennsylvania
1. Tusseys Mountain (Huntington Co.)
2. Allegheny Mts. main ridge (Clearfield Co., Elk Co.)
Near Little Juniata River, on limestone bluffs--of its largest size
� Michigan
var. davisii Wight -- a shrubby variety with leaves broader and less acuminate at apex
Roscommon Co., Montmorency Co.
� Virginia
Rocky ridges near the Natural Bridge (Rockbridge Co.)
� West Virginia?
(Foote, Jones 1989: CT to WV)
� North Carolina
Lower slopes of Peak Mountain on South Fork of Buffalo Creek (Ashe Co.)
� Tennessee?
(Foote, Jones 1989: isolated colony in TN)

Number Left

Unknown

Protection

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Global Rank:	G4	10/3/2002	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:	SC	1/19/1996	Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	No

State/Area Protection

State/Area	Rank	Status	Date
Connecticut	SH	SC	10/25/2002
Maryland	S2	T	4/30/2001
Michigan	S3	SC	3/1/1999
New Jersey	S1		9/1/2001
New York	SR	U	2/17/1989
North Carolina	SH	W7	1/1/2002
Pennsylvania	S2S3	T	6/11/2002
Virginia	S3		5/1/2002
West Virginia	S3		6/1/2000

Conservation, Ecology & Research

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Ecological Relationships

Higman (1996) and Taylor (1990) discuss the Michigan-endemic Prunus alleghaniensis var. davisii as being highly shade-intolerant, preferring sites with morning sun and afternoon shade (east-facing slopes). This variety is dependent upon natural fires to maintain the open habitat that it requires. The var. davisii is also reported to flower early (April) and the seeds are contained in fleshy fruits that are dispersed by birds and mammals during July and August.

Threats

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

Current Research Summary

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.

Current Management Summary

None known

Research Management Needs

� 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.

Ex Situ Needs

References

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Books (Single Authors)

Foote, L.E.; Jones, S.B., Jr. 1994. Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast. Oregon: Timber Press.

Grimm, W.C. 1983. The Illustrated Book of Trees. Stackpole Books.

Harrar, E.S.; Harrar, J.G. 1962. Guide to Southern Trees. New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc.

Seymour, F.C. 1989. The flora of New England. A manual for the identification of all vascular plants including ferns and their allies growing without cultivation in New England. Boston: Boston Museum Science. 611 + appendixp.

Strausbaugh, P.D.; Core, E.L. 1978. Flora of West Virginia. Grantsville, West Virginia: Seneca Books, Incorporated. 1079p.

Books (Sections)

Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the U.S., Canada, and Greenland. In: Kartesz, J.T.; Meacham, C.A., editors. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Chapel Hill, NC.

Electronic Sources

NatureServe. (2008). NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. [Internet].Version 7.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. Accessed: (June 17, 2008).

Journal Articles

1967. Seventeenth Report of the Committee on Plant Conservation. Rhodora. 69: 306-317.

Cleveland, A.V. Using an Ecological Classification System to Detect Rare Plant Occurrence Patterns on the Huron-Manistee National Forest (Michigan). Masters Abstracts International. 36-01: 0099.

Taylor, S.M. 1990. The Alleghany plum of Michigan's jack pine plains. Mich. Acad. 22: 381-384.

Reports

Higman, P.J.; Penskar, M.R. 1996. Special plant abstract for Prunus alleghaniensis var. davisii (Alleghany plum). Lansing, MI: Michigan Natural Features Inventory. p.2.

Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized): Agriculture Handbook No. 541. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Forest Service. p.375.

Theses

Vaughan, Alexandra. 1997. Using and Ecological Classification System to Detect Rare Plant Occurrence Patterns on the Huron Manistee National Forest (Michigan). [Masters Thesis]: State University of New York. 66p.

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This profile was updated on 3/4/2010