PNW Native
Indian-plum is a large shrub ranging from 1.5 m - 5 m in height, with bitter, purple-brown bark. Its leaves are deciduous, alternate, bright green, oblong, 5-12 cm. long, and have a distinct cucumber flavor and scent when crushed. Flowers are small, green-white, 5-petaled, about 1 cm. wide, and bloom often before leaves appear in spring. Fruits are small (appx. 1 cm. long) plum-like drupes with a single large pit. (2)
Indian-plum ranges from British Columbia through Southern California. (1)
Indian-plum is widely found in both wet and dry forests, wetlands, and riparian environments from low to middle elevations. (2)
Indian-plum is one of the first deciduous shrubs to flower in the Pacific Northwest, providing crucial early-season nectar for moths, butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators. The fruits are eaten by various species of small mammals, birds, coyotes, deer, bears, and foxes. (1)
Indian-plum bark was not widely used medicinally to the extent of other tree barks in its range (3), however a tuberculosis treatment was made from the bark. (1) The Saanich made a purgative tonic from the bark. Twigs were chewed and applied to sore parts of the body as a poultice, often mixed with fish oil and burned before application. (3) The bark was also used to bind the tips of harpoons. The fruit was eaten by Straits Salish, Squamish, Halq’emeylem, and some Washington Salish tribes, (3) and it was either preserved, cooked, dried, or eaten raw despite its bitter flavor, (1) but it was not eaten as widely as other berries due to the labor-intensive processing required with the large pit. Many native Northwesterners refer to the berries as “choke-cherries” due to their astringent and bitter flavor. (3)
Indian plum has much utility for restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest. It tolerates wide ranges of shade and moisture, has erosion-resistant roots, propagates easily, and grows rapidly. Clones are preferred for this usage because they root more easily. (1)
