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Oemleria cerasiformis
Oemleria cerasiformis (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook. & Arn.) Landon
Indian Plum, Oso-berry
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Nuttallia cerasiformis, Osmaronia cerasiformis
USDA Symbol: OECE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
This shrubby harbinger of spring can grow 15-20 ft. tall, with many long, slender stems. The pendent, green and white flower clusters - male and female on separate plants - appear just before the thin, pale green leaves. Both flowers and leaves are out long before those of most other deciduous shrubs in the area. The "plums" in fall are olive-sized purple berries.
Indian Plum is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall.
Fruit: Black
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CA , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: B.C., s. from the coast to the w. slope of the Cascades to n. CA & the w. side of the Sierra Nevada
Native Habitat: Stream banks; roadsides; open woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Moist to drier soils.
Conditions Comments: Because of its size and suckering habit, this is not for choice places in the formal garden. Its best uses are in large woodlands and wild, open areas and for land reclamation.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: The fruits are a favorite of birds and other wildlife.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Easy to grow from treated seed or twig cuttings.Seed Collection: Clusters of ripe fruit can be stripped by hand.
Seed Treatment: A lengthy cold-moist stratification will overcome seed dormancy.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Oemleria cerasiformis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Oemleria cerasiformis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Oemleria cerasiformis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-07Research By: TWC Staff