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Oemleria spp.
osoberry
Overview
Oemleria spp. is a monotypic genus in the family Rosaceae, represented by the single species O. cerasiformis, known as osoberry or Indian plum, native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is a deciduous, suckering shrub growing 1.5-5 m (5-16 ft) tall and spreading by basal shoots into open thickets. The bark is purplish-brown with raised lenticels, and the alternate, lance-shaped leaves are 5-12 cm (2-5 in) long, bright green above and paler beneath, with a cucumber-like scent when crushed. Plants are usually dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate shrubs. In late winter to early spring, before most other shrubs leaf out, pendent clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers open along the previous year's stems. Pollinated female plants develop clusters of small plum-like drupes 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) across that ripen from peach to blue-black with a waxy bloom. Because the species is dioecious, fruit forms only where both sexes grow near one another. The shrub grows in moist woodland, on streambanks, and along forest edges, flowering and leafing out in late winter, ahead of most associated shrubs.
Native Range
Oemleria cerasiformis is native to the Pacific coast of North America, from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon into California. It grows in moist woodland, along streambanks, and at forest edges, often in partial shade.Suggested Uses
Oemleria cerasiformis is grown in native and woodland gardens, as an informal screen or thicket, and in habitat plantings where its early flowers support emerging pollinators and its fruit feeds birds and mammals. It is used on streambanks and slopes for soil stabilisation.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 16'
Width/Spread5' - 13'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late winter to early spring, often February to April, early in the season relative to associated shrubs. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, so only pollinated female shrubs go on to bear the small plum-like fruits, which ripen from late spring into summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright green above, paler belowGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight