Fruit Of The Indian Plum

Day 251: Now more often referred to by the name of Osoberry, Oemleria cerasiformis will be listed in many field guides as "Indian Plum." I learned it that way, and since the "oso-" prefix means "bear" and an entirely different plant is called "Bearberry," I find it difficult to shift to the new common name. Again I will say it: this is why I prefer the Latin nomenclature. There can be no mistaking Oemleria for Arctostaphyllos. Yes, bears do enjoy these small "plums" when they can get them, and it's not uncommon to find bear scat liberally salted with the stones which resemble a cherry pit, but most likely the birds will beat them to the fruit. The native peoples of the area used the thin flesh in pemmican, and made tea of the leaves and bark. The wood rarely reaches a sufficient diameter to be of any major use, but is straight-grained and strong, and can be carved to make spoons, knitting needles and other small implements.

Indian Plum, AKA Osoberry

Day 172: If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you may know this shrub as "Indian Plum,"although that name is slowly giving way to the preferred term, "Osoberry." It is unique in that it is the sole member of the genus Oemleria; no kith, no kin, no cousins except at a great distance where it joins the subfamily of Amygdaloideae and thence enters the family Rosaceae along with true plums and other fruits, as well as roses and cotoneasters. Oemleria cerasiformis is a stone fruit, as anyone who has ever tried to suck any edible sustenance off one of its thinly skinned pits can attest. The flesh is nearly non-existent and rather puckery on the tongue. One might do better to harvest the leaves and/or bark for tea, leaving the purple "plums" to the birds. I've heard that the wood is fine-grained and strong, and suitable for making knitting needles, bobbins and small carvings. Hmmm...I feel a project coming into fruit.

Oemleria Cerasiformis, Indian Plum

Day 181: Commonly known as Indian Plum or Osoberry, Oemleria cerasiformis is unique in that it is the only member of its genus. Moving up the scale, we can see that it is a member of the Rosaceae, a botanical Family with such widely diverse "cousins" as roses, rowan trees and raspberries, almonds, apricots and apples. It is a dioecious shrub, which is to say that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, and its fruits are considered edible, if bitter. The fruit is yellowish-red when immature, darkening to a reddish-purple when ripe. Its leaves and bark may also be used to make tea, although I can't speak to its desirability as such. As I have said repeatedly, many plants which are considered "edible" do not necessarily fall into the narrower category of "desirable as food," which is to say that you could assuage a burning hunger by eating them without poisoning yourself, although you wouldn't consider serving them up to guests. I think I'll give Oemleria tea a miss, thank you.