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, typically in early spring, though other plum species 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 fruits have one seed enclosed by a tough layer called the endocarp — commonly called the pit or stone — and a fleshy, edible mesocarp. Other species that produce drupes include peaches and cherries, which are also in the Rosaceae family.

As an ornamental, 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 Japanese maple varieties, the purple-leaf plum retains its leaf color from the spring through to the fall, when its leaves drop in preparation for winter. In addition to its decorative value to humans, the purple-leaf plum feeds birds, which disperse their seeds, and it is a habitat for tiger swallowtail caterpillars.

*This resource is a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department.