Purple Leaf Plum

The leaves of the purple leaf plum tend to be obovate or elliptical, meaning they have a round or oval shape, and have a serrated margin—the edges are jagged like a saw. Since it is a plum tree, the leaves sprout after the flowers have started to bloom which typically occurs in early spring, though there are other plum species that bloom as early as mid-winter. The blossoms are known for their strong fragrance. In the summer, this tree will produce fruits called drupes. These types of fruits have one seed enclosed by a tough layer called the endocarp—altogether what we tend to refer to as the pit or stone—and a fleshy layer known as the mesocarp that is edible. Other species that produce drupes include peaches and cherries which are both in the Rosaceae family.

As an ornamental tree, the purple-leaf plum was not cultivated for the flavor of its fruits; instead, its value to humans lies in its early-blooming flowers and the deep color of its leaves. Much like certain varieties of the Japanese maple, the purple-leaf plum retains its leaf color from the spring through to the fall when their leaves drop in preparation for winter. In addition to its decorative value to humans, the purple leaf plum feeds birds which in turn will disperse their seeds for them, and they are a habitat for tiger swallowtail caterpillars.

You can find other, larger trees of this species near Bole Hall, and you can also check out other members of the Rosaceae family near them such as crabapple trees and the Callery pear. Thank you for watching and enjoy the trees!

These resources are a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department. My name is Fatima Hakimi, and I will earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences in 2023. I plan to pursue a career in the healthcare field. You can read more about me and the purple-leaf plum below.