Bloomipedia
Beach plum (Prunus maritima)
Photo: Alison Northup via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Beach plum

Prunus maritima

Beach plum (Prunus maritima) is a shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–May across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Beach plum is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

11states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
4,086U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Delaware, Massachusetts

Quick look

Prunus maritima, the beach plum, is a species of plum native to the East Coast of the United States. It is grown commercially for its fruit and resists certain pests.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 11 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Massachusetts and Delaware. NatureServe
  • In Massachusetts, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 12 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,665 research-grade sightings of it in Massachusetts, ranking #90 among the 188 flowers on our Massachusetts list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 222 research-grade sightings of it in Delaware, ranking #67 among the 164 flowers on our Delaware list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,101 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MassachusettsNativeMay1,665
DelawareNativefew records (39)222

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
Delaware
S3, uncommon On Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list): s3, uncommon (informational). NatureServe: S3, vulnerable in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MD (S1), ME (S1), PA (S1), VA (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: NatureServe ranks it S3 in Delaware. NatureServe

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cherry” (Prunus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records beach plum in 11 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia.

Massachusetts counties with USDA records: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk.

Delaware counties with USDA records: New Castle, Sussex.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Beach plum a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.8 to 7.7 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
5.8 to 7.7
Minimum temperature tolerated
-33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
150
Annual precipitation range
36 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
20 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Blue · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for PRMA2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 45 counties across 9 states; the most are in New Jersey (10), Massachusetts (9), New York (8).

Other Prunus on Bloomipedia (16): Black cherry, Chokecherry, Carolina laurelcherry, American plum, Peach, Cherry laurel, Fire cherry, Desert peach, Sweet cherry, European plum.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry.

More Massachusetts flowers

Roses (genus Rosa) (Rosa)

Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in MA: May–July
Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)

Multiflora rose

Rosa multiflora

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MA: June
Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Black cherry

Prunus serotina

Native

🌼 Blooms in MA: May–June

Sources