#oemleria

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

Oemleria

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Thursday 31 March 2022

The suckering deciduous shrub Oemleria cerasiformis (oso berry, Indian plum, Oregon plum) flowers before the leaves emerge. On female plants in the autumn there will be a crop of small, astringent tasting, plum-like purple fruits.

Jill Raggett

[haveyouatethisfruit]

Osoberry

Also known as Indian plum

Have you ate an osoberry?

Yes

No, but I've heard of it

Haven't even heard of it

Voting ended onDec 15, 2023

[lavinia-pfigg]

March. 5.

Grandma plants.

[northwestnaturalist]

Oemleria cerasiformis “Indian Plum” Rosaceae

Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA May 9, 2016 Robert Niese

Oemleria is a PNW endemic and is one of the first plants to leaf-out and bloom in spring. Later in the summer Oemleria will begin to bear ripe fruits which are purple with a large pit, giving them the name Indian Plums. Opinions vary on the palatability of these fruits. Some find them to be among the best in the PNW, while others find them too bitter. Generally, their astringency can be reduced through cooking and, as such, Oemleria fruits tend to be most commonly prepared in jams and pie fillings. Also, their bark is thought to be a mild aphrodisiac. Someone should try chewing on a few twigs and report back to us all.

[friendsrpbg]

G20090307-3606--Oemleria cerasiformis--RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Oemleria cerasiformis—osoberry. "Towards the end of the winter in the Pacific northwest we begin to lose hope of ever seeing a sunny day. Cheer has long been drowned in the endless rains, the cold damp has soaked its way into the soul. We long for a break in the clouds that will allow the sun to shine on our faces. Then the Indian Plum comes along with bright green leaves and creamy flowers – a glimpse of spring amid the gray. The first deciduous native shrub in the Pacific northwest to flower, the Indian Plum is prized not only for its beauty but for the promise it conveys of longer days and lighter rains." —The Wild Garden: Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database. www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/oem_cer.html. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.