Historic Tree Grove: Chickasaw Plums

Chickasaw Plum (Prunus Angustifolia)
Chickasaw Plum is a short native Florida tree that will reach a height of about 15 feet at maturity. It grows in a dense arrangement of branches and twigs that is perfect for nesting birds and it can form a nice screen for privacy in the summer. If left untended, new trees will spring up as sucker growth and a small thicket will form naturally.

This tree is deciduous and drops its leaves in the winter but the profuse blooms in the spring and delicious plums make it entirely worthwhile. The edible golden fruit form in the later part of the summer and ripen to a lovely red color.

William Bartram
Chickasaw plum was among the first fruits domesticated for human use in North America. It was observed in groves deemed ‘ancient’ by the American born naturalist William Bartram (1739-1823). Bartram traveled the North American Southeast as part of a survey party in the late 1770s. He noted the species of plants and animals he observed, land features that he encountered, and also described the clothing and customs of the indigenous peoples he met.

In the trek through Georgia, Bartram’s party came across long-deserted settlements of the indigenous Native Americans. Although most traces of the villages were gone, orchards of planted trees remained. Among the species Bartram found were Shellbark Hickory, Honeylocust, Persimmon, Eastern Black Hickory, Red Mulberry, Beauty Berry and Chickasaw Plum. Bartram noted that these stands of fruit bearing trees were still in use by the local Creek peoples who collected and used the fruit in their day to day lives. Learn more about Bartram and his travels here.

A Native American Food Garden
Planted beneath the small stand of Chickasaw plums is a garden of plants used by Native Americans in Florida for food. Some were cultivated, while others were simply gathered where they grew wild. (Plants in this garden are marked with "tree cookies" made of a naturally fallen oak. Learn how to create these garden signs yourself here.)

Coontie (Zamia pumila): This native plant is one of about 200 remaining species of cycads, primitive palm-like plants that were a dominant plant species some 200 million years ago. While all parts of the plant are poisonous in their natural state, Native American discovered that through repeated washing and boiling of the root, the toxin cycasin can be removed, making it safe for consumption. Coontie was used as a starchy tuber and ground for flour. Learn more here.

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco): This native can be grown as a tree or shrub, or a more sprawling groundcover, depending on cultivar. The fruits are edible, and often made into jams and jellies. The leaves and bark also have a history of being used medicinally to treat dysentery and other digestive ailments. Learn more here.

Bird Pepper (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum): This little native pepper is edible by humans, but as the name implies, birds often get there first. The small red peppers pack a pretty potent punch, measuring between 50,000 and 100,000 Scoville units. Learn more here.

Ground Cherry (Physalis walteri): Also known as husk tomato, Ground Cherry is low growing with yellow blooms that develop into small orange "lanterns", inside of which is the fruit itself. The fruit is edible when fully ripe (wait until the husk has dried and opened of its own accord - green fruits are toxic). Learn more here.

Southern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii): Long before this fruit became a staple crop of Florida's agricultural industry, Native Americans were enjoying this native berry in the wild. These plants prefer full sun and slightly acidic soils.

Chickasaw Plum Art and Artists
Artwork for the Chicksaw Plums informational sign was created by local artist Holly Bird.

The artwork for the Chickasaw Plums bench was created by Florida artist Brittany Griffin.