Salmonberry
(Scientific Name: Rubus
spectabilis)
Description:
An erect, thicket-forming shrub 2-6 feet tall with redish-tan bark
and a few short, straight prickles; much branched; leaves divided
into leaflets; showy flowers, 1-3 in a cluster, have deep
purplish-red petals. The deep yellow, orange or red berries resemble
huge raspberries and are very juicy.
Habitat:
Grows along creeks and in oist places west of the Cascade Mountains
from Alaska to California. This is a very early blooming shrub and
the berries begin to ripen in June, depending on the elevation.
Uses: These mild-flavored berries make
excellent jams or jellies. The young tender shoots are edible either
raw or cooked and were much used by tribes of Northwest Indians, who
usually ate them with fish spawn or oil.
