Indian Plumb,Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis)

Oemleria cerasiformis, a shrub commonly known as osoberry or Indian plum, is the sole species in genus Oemleria.

Although it is often claimed that CHOKE CHERRIES were among the most important and widely used berries by Aboriginal or indigenous Canadian tribes while  Indian plums were eaten fresh or dried by only some tribes  and then only in small quantities; it has also been SHOWN that many tribes did not distinguish between the two and referred to both the berry now commonly known  as Indian Plumb Oemleria cerasiformis and Prunus virginiana a choke cherries. The species name cerasiformis means “cherry- like” Another common name for Indian-plumb is oso-berry; oso means bear.

Native to the Pacific coast and ranges of North America, from British Columbia, Canada to California, U.S.A. it is among the first plants to leaf out and flowers early in the spring. Osoberry (Bear Berry) is an erect, loosely branched shrub reaching 15 feet) in height. Leaves are alternate, simple, deciduous; generally elliptical or oblong, 2–5 inches, light green and smooth above and paler below; margins are entire to wavy; fresh foliage smells and may taste like cucumber.

Indian plumbs are among the first plants to leaf-out in the spring. The plants are dioeciously] male and female flowers occur on different plants. The flowers are whitish-green, bell-shaped, often appear in late winter before the leaves, and are about ½ inch across. The bitter-tasting fruit occurs in ovoid drupes up to ½ inch long, orange or yellow when young but blue-black when mature; borne on a red stem. The twig is slender, green turning to reddish brown, pith chambered, and conspicuous orange lenticels. Bark is smooth, reddish brown to dark grey.

 Indigenous peoples of the Americas did include osoberry in their diets, make tea of the bark, and chew its twigs to use as a mild aesthetic and aphrodisiac.

Other than on city boulevards, I have never had much success in finding Indian plumb in any quantity. There are probably at least two reasons why. First, since only the plants that bear female flowers will fruit, that leaves out about half the possible shrubs. Second, the fruit develops early in the year, and birds quickly take advantage of the fresh fruit. Deer, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, and other rodents also eat the berries.

 ©Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.