ExplorePlants

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

The Osoberry is a lovely shrub that grows in the wild. It has beautiful green leaves and produces small, tasty berries that many animals enjoy eating.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Osoberry is a deciduous shrub with slender branches and oval, light green leaves that turn yellow in fall. It produces small, drooping clusters of greenish-white flowers in early spring, followed by almond-shaped berries that ripen from green to orange to dark purple.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusOemleria
Osoberry
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshrub trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Osoberry

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Crush an Osoberry leaf and it smells surprisingly like cucumbers or watermelon!

Its scientific name, Oemleria, honors a botanist named August Gottlieb Oemler!

Native Americans used its straight, strong wood for making useful tools and arrows.

Osoberry is the ONLY species in its entire plant genus in the world!

Special abilities

Ability

Early Bird Bloomer

Osoberry can bloom earlier than most plants, helping it get a head start on attracting hungry pollinators.

Ability

Berry Chameleon

Osoberry has berries that change color from green to orange to purple, signaling to animals when they are perfectly ripe.

Ability

Tolerant Pioneer

Osoberry can grow well in disturbed areas or forest edges, helping to colonize new spaces with its strong roots.

Measurements & details

Height
200-500 cm
Spread
150-400 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

eats its ripe, purple berries.

eats

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

enjoys the small, juicy fruits.

pollinates

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

visits early spring flowers for nectar.

eats

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

disperses seeds by eating berries.

Traits

Also known as

Indian Plum

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking or eating wild berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Osoberry?

200-500 cm

How wide does Osoberry spread?

150-400 cm

How big are the flowers on Osoberry?

0.5-1 cm

When does Osoberry bloom?

Early spring

Is Osoberry edible?

Yes

Is Osoberry toxic?

Mild

What is Osoberry's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Osoberry pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants