Small tree to 6 m (20 ft) tall and 15 cm (6 in) in diameter, sometimes forming thickets. Bark thin, smooth, brown becoming gray and scaly on older trunks and branches. Twigs glabrous, slender, shiny red-brown. Buds very small, brown, glabrous, scaly, with no end bud. Leaves elliptical to lanceolate, 6-10 cm (2.5-4 in) long and 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) wide, acuminate, rounded or pointed at base, edges finely serrate, shiny green above, pale green and slightly hairy below. Petioles slender, often reddish, usually with two gland-dots near the blade. Flowers in clusters of 2-4 on slender peduncles, usually blooming in early Spring before leaves appear, white, 13-15 mm (0.5-0.6 in) across. Fruits round or elliptical drupes 13-19 mm (0.5-0.8 in) in diameter, bright red, edible, maturing in late Summer.
Distribution: Native in scattered locations from Ohio to Texas.
Habitat: Moist, well-drained soil.
NWI status: none
Comment:This species is widely cultivated and has become established well beyond its original range. Prunus is the ancient Latin name for the European plums; munsoniana honors the American botanist T. V. Munson.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/15/99
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