Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor): Bundle of 10

Description

Sold in bundles of 10.

At a Glance: Multi-stemmed upright shrub with ridged young stems and arching older stems with peeling bark. White flowers.

Height: Up to 13 feet (4 meters).
Stems: Several main stems; young stems are rigged, older stems are brownish with peeling bark.
Leaves: Alternating arrangement; leaves are dull green and hairy, broadly egg-shaped, lobed or coarsely toothed; leaves can have reddish hue in autumn; size: 3-6 cm (1-2.5 in) long.
Flowers: Flowers are in dense terminal pyramidal cluster, 10-17 cm long; 5 white petals, 20 stamens, mostly 5 pistils, ovary is two-ovuled; flower clusters turn brown and remain on plants over winter; primary color: white to cream; size: 5 mm across.
Flowering Period: May, June.
Fruits: Hairy achenes; size: 2 mm long; color: light brown.

Ethnobotany: The wood of oceanspray is hard and durable. It was used to make digging sticks, spears, harpoon shafts, bows, and arrows by nearly all coastal groups including the Salish, Halqemeylem, Squamish, Sechelt, and Kwakwakawakw. The Saanich and Cowichan used the wood to make salmon-barbecuing sticks, inner bark scrapers, halibut hooks, cattail mat needles, and more recently knitting needles. Oceanspray pegs were used in construction before the use of nails. The Nlakapamux made armor plating from the hard oceanspray wood. The Squaxin used the wood to make canoe paddles.
The Saanich and Stlatlimx boiled the fruiting clusters of the oceanspray to make an infusion that was drank to cure diarrhea, measles, chickenpox. This infusion was also used as a blood tonic. The Lummi applied the leaves to sore lips and feet.