Rubus spectabilis - Shrub - Salmon Berry, Salmonberry Page

Rubus spectabilis, more commonly known as the Salmonberry, is a remarkable member of the rose family Rosaceae. Proudly native to the west coast of North America, from west-central Alaska to California, and inland as far as Idaho, this shrub showcases the resilient beauty of the region. Salmonberry plant stands stout, ranging in height between 3 to 12 feet, with fine prickles adorning its perennial woody stems. Its flowers, unmissable with their 20 to 100 stamens encircled by delicate pink to magenta petals, are definitive of the rose family, while its trifoliate leaves with serrated margins add variety to its appearance.
Salmonberry is notable for its edible fruit, comparable in look to a raspberry but distinguishable in its vibrant yellow-orange or red color. From early May to late July, these berries ripen into large, shiny morsels, appearing in full in cooler climates. They may be called berries, but they're technically fleshy aggregated drupelets. Enjoy these mature fruits for their tender sweetness in jams, jellies, baked goods, or even alongside smoked salmon—a longstanding Alaskan indigenous tradition.
Salmonberry holds special medicinal properties, too. Drink it as a tea to alleviate diarrhea or dysentery, or use its leaves and bark as a poultice for burns and sores. Find this wet-site shrub along streams and damp logged areas, and savor the taste and traditions of the North American coast with the remarkable Salmonberry.