Oemlaria cerasiformus (Indiam)

Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), also called Osoberry, is the first woody shrub to bloom in the Pacific Northwest each year. Often flowering in late February, when little else is in bloom. Small fragrant greenish-white flowers hang in drooping clusters along the branch tips before the leaves emerge fully, releasing a watermelon-rind scent and providing a critical first meal for queen bumblebees waking from overwintering.

In summer, female plants produce small bluish-purple plum-like drupes. Eaten by robins, thrushes, cedar waxwings, grosbeaks, and foxes. The dense suckering thicket form provides excellent bird-nesting cover.

Makah, Quinault, Nitinaht, Cowlitz, Lummi, Samish, Saanich, Skagit, Snohomish, Swinomish, Squaxin, Kwakiutl, Kitasoo, Shasta, Karok, and Thompson peoples used Indian Plum for food (the fruit eaten fresh), medicine (bark and leaves as analgesic, laxative, tuberculosis remedy), and material culture (the stems as fasteners).

Coastal-friendly in protected sites along the Oregon coast.

Note on deer: young shoots are palatable to deer. Plants usually survive and resprout but protection while establishing helps.

Classic PNW companion with Salal, Sword Fern, Vine Maple, Red-Flowering Currant, and Nootka Rose.