Bloomipedia
Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis)
Photo: Harry Podschwit via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) is a shrub or small tree in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly February–April across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Osoberry is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in February–April.

3states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
17,991U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

Quick look

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.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Washington and Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–April. iNaturalist
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–April. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 8,942 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #8 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 5,511 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #11 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (3,079 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonNativeFebruary–April8,942
OregonNativeFebruary–April5,511

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records osoberry in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Osoberry a medium shade tolerance and low drought tolerance. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.2 and winter lows down to 28 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
5.0 to 7.2
Minimum temperature tolerated
28 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
207
Annual precipitation range
16 to 33 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Short
Fruit or seed
Purple
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for OECE. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Nuttallia cerasiformis, Osmaronia cerasiformis.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 67 counties across 3 states; the most are in California (29), Oregon (19), Washington (19).

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry.

More Washington flowers

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry

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🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

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🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July
Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor)

Ocean spray

Holodiscus discolor

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🌼 Blooms in WA: June–July

Sources