# Ocean spray (*Holodiscus discolor*) Ocean spray is a lovely shrub that grows along the coast. It has beautiful white flowers that look like fluffy clouds and attract many butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Ocean spray](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Holodiscus_discolor_3007.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holodiscus_discolor_3007.JPG) ## Appearance The Ocean spray is a tall, arching shrub known for its spectacular creamy-white to yellowish flower clusters that resemble seafoam. Its leaves are lobed and dark green, creating a dense, leafy appearance that makes the fluffy white blooms stand out dramatically. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Rosaceae - **Genus:** Holodiscus ## Interesting facts - Its wood is so strong, Native Americans used it for making tough tools and even arrows! - The plant's fluffy white flower clusters can grow as long as your forearm! - This shrub is sometimes called 'Ironwood' because its branches are surprisingly hard. - When its tiny seeds ripen, they are so light they can float far on the wind! ## Special abilities - **Super Survivor:** Ocean spray has deep roots that help it find water and survive long, dry periods, making it very tough. - **Soil Stabilizer:** Ocean spray can grow in disturbed soil and its roots help hold the earth in place, preventing erosion. - **Flexible Builder:** Ocean spray has strong, flexible wood that can be bent without breaking, making it great for tools and crafts. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-500 cm - **Spread:** 100-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits flowers for nectar - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Deer browse its leaves - **Shelter:** [Bewick's Wren](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bewicks-wren) (*Thryomanes bewickii*) — Uses dense branches for nests - **Pollinates:** [Western Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio rutulus*) — Visits flowers for nectar ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring nature and be gentle with plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ocean spray? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Ocean spray? 100-500 cm ### How wide does Ocean spray spread? 100-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on Ocean spray? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Ocean spray bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is Ocean spray edible? Yes ### Is Ocean spray toxic? None ### What is Ocean spray's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Fairhaven](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairhaven) — Washington, US · Neighborhood - [Pike Place Market](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pike-place-market) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Union Bay Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/union-bay-natural-area) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Ross Lake National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ross-lake-national-recreation-area) — Washington, US · National Park - [Sabine Channel Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabine-channel-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Ocean spray](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ocean-spray) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Ocean spray: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocean-spray)