Oemleria cerasiformis

Oemleria cerasiformis
Temporal range:
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Tribe: Exochordeae
Genus: Oemleria
Species:
O. cerasiformis
Binomial name
Oemleria cerasiformis
(Torr. & Gray ex Hook. & Arn.) J.W.Landon
Synonyms
Oemleria synonymy
  • Nuttallia cerasiformis Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook. & Arn.
  • Osmaronia cerasiformis (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook. & Arn.) Greene

Oemleria cerasiformis, a shrub commonly known as osoberry, squaw plum, Indian plum, or Indian Peach, is the sole extant species in the genus Oemleria. The deciduous and perennial shrub can grow up to 7 meters tall, with spreading branches that produce small white flowers and bitter fruit that only become sweet when fully ripe. Osoberry is dioecious, only female plants producing fruit, while males produce a high reproductive biomass of pollen and flowers. The flowers are insect and hummingbird-pollinated and the fruits are consumed by both birds and mammals, which later disperse the seeds in their droppings (endozoochory).

Fossil records indicate that the species had a similar range during the Eocene epoch. It is native to the Pacific coast and coast ranges of North America, from British Columbia, Canada, to Santa Barbara County, California. Its favored habitat conditions include full sun, moist soil, and low elevation. It is one of the first plants to have its flowers bloom and leaves bud in the late winter.

Native Americans of the West coast tribes have several uses for osoberry, serving purposes such as medicine, food, and tools.