Oemleria cerasiformis

(Torrey & A. Gray) J. W. Landon

Taxon 24: 200. 1975.

EndemicIllustrated
Basionym: Nuttallia cerasiformis Torrey & A. Gray in W. J. Hooker and G. A. W. Arnott, Bot. Beechey Voy., 337. 1839
Synonyms: Osmaronia cerasiformis (Torrey & A. Gray) Greene O. cerasiformis var. lancifolia Greene
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 9. Treatment on page 385.

Leaves: petiole 5–12(–15) mm; blade abaxially paler, 5–10(–15) × 1.5–4 cm, base cuneate, apex acute to obtuse. Inflorescences appearing with leaves, 3–10 cm. Flowers: sepals 1.5–2 mm, glabrous, glabrate, or hairy; petals (3–)4–6 mm (smaller on pistillate flowers); stamens 10 within hypanthium, 5 exserted from rim; carpels 3–4(–4.5) mm. Drupes glaucous, taste bitter. 2n = 16.


Phenology: Flowering Feb–Apr.
Habitat: Canyons, roadsides, stream banks, lowland wet woods, dry open woods, chaparral
Elevation: 0–1900 m

Distribution

V9 643-distribution-map.jpg

B.C., Calif., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Oemleria cerasiformis is found from the Pacific coast to the western slopes of the Cascades and the northern Sierra Nevada. It is one of the earlier flowering woody plants in the Pacific Northwest and provides good cover and food for birds and other animals. The flowers are foul smelling, part of a fly-pollination syndrome.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Oemleria cerasiformis"
William J. Hess +
(Torrey & A. Gray) J. W. Landon +
Nuttallia cerasiformis +
B.C. +, Calif. +, Oreg. +  and Wash. +
0–1900 m +
Canyons, roadsides, stream banks, lowland wet woods, dry open woods, chaparral +
Flowering Feb–Apr. +
Endemic +  and Illustrated +
Osmaronia cerasiformis +  and O. cerasiformis var. lancifolia +
Oemleria cerasiformis +
Oemleria +
species +