Npn-plant

oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)

  • When to observe: Year-round
  • What to observe: Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves
  • Where to observe:
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Holodiscus discolor is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.
Holodiscus discoloris a fast-growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub growing up to 7 feet in height. The bark is brown to gray and sheds with age. Its leaves are green, small ,and lobbed. Oceanspray flowers form cascading clusters of white flowers with a faint, sweet scent and are pollinated by insects. The clusters of small, hairy seeds can be persistent throughout the winter. Holodiscus discolor is found in a variety of habitats throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is often found on north-facing slopes, and stream banks, and in moist, open woods. Oceanspray is a high water user and grows in part shade to full sun. It is a colonizer of disturbed and burned lands. Butterflies are attracted to Holodiscus discolor. Deer, elk and other wildlife feed on the leaves and twigs of oceanspray. It also provides cover for a variety of species.
You should observe...
Here are the phenophases you should observe about this plant.
Leaves Breaking leaf buds

One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base.
Leaves

One or more live unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible. New small leaves may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible. Do not include dried or dead leaves.
Increasing leaf size

A majority of leaves on the plant have not yet reached their full size and are still growing larger. Do not include new leaves that continue to emerge at the ends of elongating stems throughout the growing season.

Colored leaves

One or more leaves (including any that have recently fallen from the plant) have turned to their late-season colors.
Falling leaves

One or more leaves are falling or have recently fallen from the plant.
Flowers Flowers

One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.
Open flowers

One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

Fruits Fruits

One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.
Ripe fruits

One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

Recent fruit drop

One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color or fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation. This species has separate male and female flowers. If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female (or both), please make a comment about it for that observation.
Native Americans used the seeds, blossoms, berries, bark, and leaves of Holodiscus discolor medicinally. Oceanspray wood was used to make furniture, canoe paddles, cooking tools, hunting and fishing tools, musical instruments, and weapons. This species is native to the U.S. and is in the Rosaceae (rose) family.

Gardens with this plant

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