Prunus murrayana, called the Murray's plum, is a critically endangered shrub native to Texas. It is found in the Edwards Plateau and the trans-Pecos regions of the state.[2][3]

Prunus murrayana is a thorny, deciduous shrub up to 5 meters (almost 17 feet) tall, forming clumps by means of sprouts formed at the base of the plant. The leaves are hairy on both surfaces, usually folding along the midrib. The flowers are white, usually appearing about the same time as the leaves. The fruits are red with white dots, hairless but with a waxy coating on the outside.[2][4] It is purportedly so rare that no one has seen its fruit since first being scientifically described.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Pollard, R.P.; Rhodes, L.; Maxted, N. (2016). "Prunus murrayana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T50623767A50623779. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T50623767A50623779.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Flora of North America, Prunus murrayana E. J. Palmer, 1929. Murray’s plum
  3. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  4. ^ Palmer, Ernest Jesse 1929. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 10(1): 38
  5. ^ "Texas Native Plants Database". aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  6. ^ "USDA Plants Database".