Indian Plum

Oemleria cerasiformis (Rosaceae) is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub native to western North America from British Columbia to California in lowland forests. It grows 15 to 20 feet tall and 13 feet wide with an erect, suckering habit and fast growth. It is among the earliest spring-blooming native shrubs, producing hanging clusters of white-green flowers on bare stems before leaf emergence. Orange-red fruit matures to red-purple.

Indian plum grows in sun to part shade and prefers moist but not saturated soils. It is dioecious, with female plants requiring a nearby male for fruit set. Bloom occurs around 572 GDD (base 32 F). The young leaves have a cucumber-like flavor. The ripe fruit starts bitter but becomes sweet when fully colored. Indigenous peoples valued the fruit. The species may contain hydrogen cyanide, as is common in Rosaceae. Hardy in Zones 9b to 10a per profile, though it is widely grown in cooler zones.