SHSU Botanical Research- Mexican Plum Tree Facts


Grace Longino Cox is a name that has great significance to the history of the Sam Houston Museum complex.  Grace contributed to the preservation of this important landmark by sharing her talents and passions.. One of those passions was gardening and as a result, these wonderful Mexican Plum trees were planted. 

Interesting Facts about Mexican Plum trees

Texas Wild Edible Plants-Mexican Plum Tree

The larger of the two trees can be found next to the Kitchen building, the other tree is in front of the Bear Bend Cabin stone fireplace.  Peter, the main groundskeeper, believes the oldest tree that Grace planted is approximately 45 years old.


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Inside view of the Houston's Kitchen &
A hook that would have been used
to dry plants from their garden



Bear Bend Cabin
Where the men and families stayed
on the San Jacinto river
when they were hunting Bear

Inside views of Bear Bend Cabin

 It was very common for families of this era to use plums in desert making.  I came across this recipe for Plum Pudding from January, 14, 1880.  I may have to give it a try someday.

PLUM PUDDING

Boil and mash well one pound potatoes, one-half pound carrots; when cold and one pound each of flour, currants, and raisins, three-quarters pound raw sugar, eight ounces suet, a little salt, and a nutmeg grated; any other spices and candied peels may be added if approved.  Fill your mold very full, tie up closely, and boil four hours; if boiled six hours, the pudding is richer and semi-transparent, and will keep two or three months.

More recipes Other 1800's recipes and  Food Timeline of 1800's,

UR-TURN:  Feel free to comment or share a favorite childhood memory of either picking fruit or a family recipe.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Study-Mexican Plum Tree (Field Sketch)

It was an enjoyable morning, the first official day of Fall and the temperature was much cooler, only 77 degrees.  Although the Museum and Education Center were closed, the grounds were teaming with activity.

Met a lovely, amicable couple out for their daily morning walk around the park.  They saw me photographing the Mexican Plum tree and commented, it was enjoyable to see the park plants during all their seasonal changes which led into a conversation about this research project.

For several hours I spent sitting on the porch of the Bear Bend Cabin, it was a perfect place for sketching and painting this beautiful tree's foliage, fruit and bark.

Here are my results shown in my Field Journal:

My observations revealed that the leaves of this plant feel very soft and furry.  Its' bark was a silvery grey and with a slightly brownish tint.  The fruit is although very tiny, the size of a dime or nickel,  has a sweet taste once you get past the bitter tasting skin.  I was amazed to find that even in the late Summer and early Fall there was still so much fruit production.  Although most of the fruit had fallen to the ground. 

You could see the fruit peeking through the blades of grass
and had to watch out where you stood,
for the ants were enjoying the fruit too.

My next adventure and blog will be as a result of being on the grounds tomorrow, Thursday.  I plan to meet with Helen, the Education Curator, to learn how to plant pound onto fabric and extract the dye and also leave an impression.

Be sure to read the following posted blog entry to learn more about the Mexican Plum tree.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Reseach- Mexican Plum Tree (Field Work) part 1

Now that the wonderful rain and cold front has passed through Central Texas, I can again safely venture outside and work on my research. The grounds crew will be busy this week thinning out the Bamboo thicket, so I need to choose a different site to work.

Feeling the cooler temperatures outside gives me a clue as to where I should light.  Fall is peeking right around the corner and so will the holiday season and that means tasty foods.

In doing some preliminary research I found some very interesting information on the probable food uses of the wild plums found on Mexican Plum trees produced on the Houston's home site. 

Mexican Plum by old kitchen 

Some of the tasty stone fruit

To wet your taste buds here is a modern recipe for wild plums:
Plum Jam Canning Recipe.  I will share some of the historic 1800's recipes I found in a later post.

Okay that settles it, Mexican Plum tree it is this week.

UR-TURN: So what is your favorite Plum recipe?  Feel free to share .

Until Next Time.