This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no specific mention has been found for this plant. it belongs to a family where the leaves, seed (and sometimes also the fruit) often contain significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide. This is the toxin that gives almonds their characteristic flavour and it should only be eaten in very small quantities. Since the fruit of this species is said to have almond-scented fruit it would be unwise to eat a large quantity of it. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4]. A poor flavour[5]. The fruit looks like a small plum but is very bitter with an almond flavour[6]. The fully ripe fruit loses most of its bitterness[7]. The fruit only has a thin layer of flesh[8]. The fruit can be dried and stored for winter use[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Fruit

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Oemleria cerasiformis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is mildly laxative[9]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis[9]. A poultice of the chewed burned plant, mixed with oil, has been used to treat sore parts of the body[9].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed requires 4 months stratification at 4°c. It is probably best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering in spring. Takes 6 months[10].

Suckers, taken at any time in the dormant season[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Oemleria cerasiformis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained garden soil[6][8], but becomes chlorotic on shallow soils over chalk[8]. Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil in a shady position[8]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[12].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[13]. This species grows well in a woodland garden or in a damp shady border[8]. The plants often sucker freely and can form dense thickets[11]. Old plants can be rejuvenated by cutting them back hard into the old wood in late winter, they will resprout freely from the base[8]. Growth can be restricted by removing suckers and cutting old shoots back or down to the base in late winter[11].

Some, if not all plants are dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Oemleria cerasiformis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Oemleria cerasiformis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Oemleria cerasiformis
Genus
Oemleria
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press ISBN 0-295-95258-X (1981-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    14. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:Oemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Oemleria cerasiformis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRosaceae +
    Belongs to genusOemleria +
    Has binomial nameOemleria cerasiformis +
    Has common nameOso Berry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageOemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height2.5 +
    Has mature width4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useLaxative +, Poultice + and TB +
    Has primary imageOemleria cerasiformis 05636.JPG +
    Has search nameoemleria cerasiformis + and oso berry +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameOemleria cerasiformis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Oemleria cerasiformis +, Oemleria cerasiformis +, Oemleria cerasiformis + and Oemleria cerasiformis +