Oso Berry (Oemleria cerasiformis)

Family: Rosaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Oemleria cerasiformis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 4 m (13ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from March to April. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A poor flavour. The fruit looks like a small plum but is very bitter with an almond flavour. The fully ripe fruit loses most of its bitterness. The fruit only has a thin layer of flesh. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fruit looks like a small plum but is very bitter with an almond flavour.; The fully ripe fruit loses most of its bitterness.; The fruit only has a thin layer of flesh.

Habitat & North American Range

Rocky valleys and canyons by streams, roadsides and moist to fairly dry open woods. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)