In early summer along the Atlantic coast. from Maine south to Maryland. hardy gourmets head to the shore to collect the wild beach plums growing in the dunes. Eaten directly from the plant. they are tart but ripen to a very sweet flavor; the stuff of gourmet jellies and jams. As an ornamental plan. beach plums with their lovely white flowers are now the talk of the town and are prized for their many uses in fashionable desserts.