Virginia Tech Dendrology

Indian-plum Rosaceae Oemleria cerasiformis (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook. & Arn.) Landon symbol: OECE
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous; generally elliptical or oblong, 2 to 5 inches long, light green and smooth above and paler below; margins are entire to wavy; fresh foliage tastes like cucumber. Among the first plant to leaf-out in the spring.
Flower: Species is dioecious; whitish-green, inconspicuous, appearing in April to May.
Fruit: Ovoid drupes up to 1/2 inch long, orange or yellow when young but blue-black when mature; borne on a red stem.
Twig: Slender, green turning to reddish brown, pith chambered, conspicuous orange lenticles.
Bark: Smooth, reddish brown to dark gray.
Form: An erect, loosely branched shrub reaching 15 feet.
Looks like: twinberry

Additional Range Information: Oemleria cerasiformis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information