Holodiscus discolor

(Pursh) Maxim.

Ocean spray, Cream bush

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 36,044 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Holodiscus discolor, commonly known as ocean spray or oceanspray, creambush, or ironwood, is a shrub of western North America.

Description

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows about 2 m tall. The flowers are in fluffy, creamy white panicles. The flowers are very small. The fruit are small, dry and flattened.

Edible Uses

The small, dry fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The small dry fruit are eaten raw. They are also cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The seeds act as a blood purifier, and an infusion has been used to treat smallpox, black measles, and chickenpox. The blossoms have been used for diarrhoea. The inner bark is tonic. An infusion of the bark serves as an eyewash, and the bark can also be dried, powdered, and mixed with oil to dress burns. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to sore lips and sore feet, a powder of dried leaves used as a dressing on sores, and a decoction of the leaves used to treat influenza.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows well in sunny places.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA,

Propagation

Seed requires 4 months stratification at 4°C. Best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame; stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame, though this can be difficult. Layering in spring is easy.

Other Uses

The wood is very hard and has been used to make small tools and roasting tongs. It does not burn easily. The plant is noted for its scent.

Synonyms

Holodiscus discolor var. discolorHolodiscus microphyllus Rydb.Sericotheca discolor (Pursh) Rydb.and several others

References (6)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994) (As Sericotheca discolor)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 199
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 421
MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 140
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 31

Show all 6 references