Other Names: wild plum, red plum, August plum, hog plum, and river plum
Number of Species: About 430
Family: Rosaceae
Genus/Species: Prunus americana
Leaf: Simple alternate, deciduous, ovate, 2–5 inches in length, double-
toothed margin, pointed tip, and dark green in color
Bark: Reddish brown to gray and scaly with sharp thorns
Fruit: Round fleshy plums about an inch wide, red to purple when mature, edible, and containing one seed
Magickal Properties and Lore: Love, healing, protection, purification. Hang twigs or branches over a door or place them in a room to ward off negative energies and spirits. Share the fruit with a loved one to strengthen the relationship. Some Native Americans used the wood to fashion prayer sticks in an effort to petition to the gods a healing request for a sick person.
Practical Uses: Plums are an important source of food for wildlife and humans. Plums can be eaten raw and have been used for jams, jellies, and preserves. The roots can be used to make red dye.
Medicinal Properties: The inner bark can be boiled and gargled to help cure mouth sores. Fruits contain many vitamins and minerals and can assist with weight loss, heart problems, can be used to treat diabetes, to promote healthy bones and combat osteoporosis, reduce anxiety, and may even have anticancer properties. Note that these benefits apply strictly to the fruit and not to store-bought plum juices, because these juices usually contain a high amount of sugar and little fruit.