Beach Plum

Prunus maritima

Illustration: Beach plum (Prunus maritima)

Identification: Low rounded shrub of coastal dunes; white spring blossoms; round blue-purple plums with a whitish bloom in late summer.

Dangerous look-alikes: Other wild plums (all edible when ripe); avoid unripe astringent fruit. Pits contain amygdalin — do not crush and eat pits.

Edible parts: Ripe fruit.

Season and habitat: Late summer. Atlantic coastal dunes from Maine to Maryland.

Preparation: Tart-sweet fresh; legendary as beach-plum jelly. Cape Cod tradition.