beach plum

American  

noun

1. a shrub, Prunus maritima, of the rose family, of the seashores of northeastern North America, having sharply toothed leaves and white flowers.

2. the purple or blackish edible fruit of this shrub.

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beach plum British  

noun

1. a rosaceous shrub, Prunus maritima , of coastal regions of E North America

2. its edible plumlike fruit

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Etymology

Origin of beach plum

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

It’s thick with plants, a seaside forest filled with bayberry, beach plum, autumn olive, wild rose, and Japanese black pine 15 feet tall.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2014

Our land grows palm trees and pine, redwoods and beach plum, vanishing Key deer and whooping cranes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Across the island we went, single file, along a trail that meandered over the rolling moor, through the beach plum and sea heather, toward the northernmost point of the island.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

Or they could have been at Clairmont, listening to the aunts argue and eating beach plum jam on water crackers.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

All winter long her beach plum jelly brought back memories of summer vacation: August on toast.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan