Plants - Pacific Northwest

Rubus Spectabilis: Salmon berry

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Rubus Spectabilis: Salmon berry

Salmonberry is another of the Pacific Northwest most common shrubs. Its two to ten foot cranes weave and interlock forming a thicket which is all but impassable.

The reddish pink blooms have a rose-like appearance blossoming from April to July. The first berries that ripen are in the lowlands and as the altitude increases, they ripen progressively later. The berries themselves may range from honey orange to deep red in color.

The tender young shoots were harvested by many of the northwestern Indian tribes, chopped, boiled, or sautéed. They taste good in casseroles or when eaten raw.