Native Plant of the Month: Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
by Erica Guttman
With summer approaching, we remember lazy afternoons and trips to the shore for cooling ocean breezes. Even far from the ocean, the foamy bloom of oceanspray is so reminiscent of waves crashing on the sand that we can imagine ourselves there.
What’s in a Name?
Oceanspray is part of the widespread, diverse Rose Family (Rosaceae) that brings us plants with large flowers and fleshy fruits as well as tiny flowers and dry fruits. The scientific name is Holodiscus discolor. “Holodiscus” is from the Greek, meaning “entire disk,” and is a technical reference to a section of the flower below the pistil. “Discolor” means “two-colored” and refers to the leaves being green above and hairy-grey below. The common name “oceanspray” is clearly derived from the profusion of flower clusters that resemble the creamy-white spray of crashing waves.
General Description
Oceanspray is a deciduous shrub that reaches heights of 15 feet. Several stems reach upward from a central base and tend to arc gently outward. Not only is the arrangement of leaves/buds and twigs alternate, but the growth spirals around the stem: an unusual characteristic that makes winter identification easy.
The leaves are small, three-quarters to two inches long, and gently lobed or deeply toothed; a local botanist friend describes them as “halfway between an alder and an oak in outline.” These lovely leaves are completely dwarfed when the bush is in bloom: robust clusters of tiny white flowers cover the plant during the peak flowering period.
The flowers have remarkable staying power; blooms might last for over a month, gradually turning yellowish-brown (like the foam of a wave full of sand!) and eventually turning into clusters of dry, brown, star-shaped fruits that persist into winter.
Distribution and Ecology
Oceanspray is widespread throughout our region, appearing from southern British Columbia south to central California and eastward to Idaho.
Oceanspray is adapted to a variety of habitats. It is a gem for beautifully reclaiming hot, dry, disturbed sites, including road cuts and clear-cuts. But it is also a common shrub of mixed lowland woodlands, where it shares moist soils with hazels, osoberry, and red alder. It will tolerate all soil conditions except saturation, and will be equally lush in full sun to partial shade.
In the Landscape
It would be hard to find a northwest landscape in which oceanspray isnot a wonderful addition. First, it provides ornamental charm year ‘round: a profusion of creamy blossoms from late May through July; splendid, unusual foliage that turns yellow or red in fall; and a graceful winter form with persistent seed clusters for winter interest. With its moderate height, it is suitable for yards of all sizes.
Second, it is adaptable to a wide variety of sites: sunny and open or semi-shady; and rocky, dry soils or well-drained moist ones.
Finally, it is a great plant for attracting a wide variety of wildlife. The flower clusters provide nectar for butterflies and other insects. Birds make use of the foliage for cover and nest building, and count on the seeds and insects they harbor for food throughout the year.
Ethnobotany
Oceanspray was a widely used plant by local native groups who prized it especially for the strength of its wood. The list of commonly made products is astounding for a plant we think of as having slender, flexible twigs. Wood was made into pegs, hooks, bows and arrow shafts, digging sticks, harpoon shafts, and many other tools.
The dry fruits were also used medicinally. Boiled seeds were made into a tea used for easing diarrhea, measles, and chickenpox.
More recently, humans make use of oceanspray for its ornamental value in gardening and its flexibility in revegetating damaged streamsides and other habitats.
References
Plants and Animals of the Pacific Northwest. E. Kozloff. 1976. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. J. Pojar & A. MacKinnon. 1994. Lone Pine Publishing, Redmond, WA.
Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. A. Kruckeberg. 1982. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
Grow Your Own Native Landscape. M. Leigh. 1997. Native Plant Salvage Project/WSU Cooperative Extension — Thurston County.
Manual of Oregon Trees and Shrubs. W. Randall, R. Keniston, and D. Bever. 1974. Oregon State University Book Stores, Inc.: Corvalis, OR.
Dictionary of Plant Names. A. J. Coombes.1999. Timber Press: Portland, OR.
Winter in the Woods. E. Guttman & R. Thurman. 1999. Native Plant Salvage Project/WSU Cooperative Extension — Thurston County. w
Erica Guttman coordinates the Native Plant Salvage Project and is a Green Pages staff writer.