The People’s Apothecary Garden - Plant of the Week #1 - Osoberry

Hello Thetis Islanders! 

Spring is upon us, and the plants are beginning to reawaken after a long winter! Going into our 5th season of the PAG, we will be showcasing one medicinal plant per week to take us through the growing season for a total of 27 plants. The plants that are shared are ones that are currently in bloom and/or harvestable at the PAG (note: some plants we have in abundance, and others in short supply). We have a small collection of native plants at the PAG, but many are from other parts of the world, and yes, some are even considered ‘invasive’. However, it’s good to note that if you see some of the invasive plants sprouting up hither thither, it’s all the more reason to harvest them! Just think of it as another form of invasive species management.

Please note! This activity serves purely as an introduction to some of the medicinal plants of the People's Apothecary Garden and should be used in parallel with other resources and expert advice. Never eat anything unless you are absolutely sure of its identification.

And our first plant on the podium is: Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis)
What to look for: Osoberry, aka June plum and Indian plum, is one of the first native shrubs to bloom in the spring. It is a part of the rose family (Rosaceae), and grows 6-16 feet tall. Old branches are grey, but young ones are dark red-brown in colour. Bright green, oblong leaves unfold as early as February, and when crushed, they give off a cucumber scent. Clusters of flowers bloom as the first leaves appear, and small plum-like fruits are produced, ripening in June. The shrub is dioecious and can only produce fruit if both male and female plants are in close proximity to each other.

Medicinal and culinary uses: The fruit is edible but is often bitter, even when fully ripe. First Nations people around the southern Strait of Georgia ate the fruits fresh, dried, and/or cooked. First Nations of the Saanich Pe­ninsula still boil the bark and drink the li­quid for diarrhea.

Precautions: Leaves, seed, and fruits contain hydrogen cyanide. Consume only in very small quantities. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Fun fact: Strips of bark were used to bind harpoon tips.

Link to website for photos: https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/plant-of-the-week-osoberry-april-1-2024