Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Physical Characteristics

Rubus spectabilis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America - Alaska to California. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[1, 2, 17, 85, 101, 183]. Juicy with a very good flavour[182, 183]. The fruit can be made into jams and jellies[257]. This species is not of much value in Britain, it does not fruit freely in the cooler summers of this country and the fruits do not always develop their full flavour[11]. The fruit can range in colour from yellow, through orange to red, it is about the size of a cultivated raspberry but is rather inferior in flavour and often has a distinctive bitterness, especially in cooler summers[K]. Another report says that it fruits freely in Britain[182]. Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw or cooked like asparagus[11, 101, 118, 183, 257]. They are harvested in the spring as they grow above the soil and whilst they are still tender[161]. Flowers - raw[172]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[183].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Astringent Disinfectant Odontalgic Poultice Stomachic The leaves and the root are astringent[172]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been used as a dressing on burns[257]. The root bark is analgesic, astringent, disinfectant and stomachic[257]. A decoction is used in the treatment of stomach complaints[257]. A decoction has been used to lessen the pains of labour[257]. The powdered bark has been used as a dusting powder on burns and sores[257]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to wounds and aching teeth to ease the pain[257]. A poultice of the chewed bark has been used as a dressing to relive pain and clean burns and wounds[257].

Known Hazards

None known