Indian Plum

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Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), also called osoberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the entire West Coast, including Canada.

It is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), and thrives in low land habitats near forested areas. Typically it is found west of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest and west of the Sierra Nevada in California.

In the Pacific Northwest, blooms of white bells begin appearing on the branches as early as February. The flowers turn into clusters of small, seeded fruits, that attract birds.

There is a history of Native American use of the shrub for food and medicinal purposes, however very little commercial harvesting of the fruit is undertaken today.

Plan on purchasing both a male and female shrub if fruiting is a landscaping goal.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels