Salmonberry (Rubus Spectabilis)

Salmonberry is a flowering shrub belonging to the Rosaceae or rose family. It bears small edible fruits that have a sweet taste. This North American plant is widely cultivated both for its fruits and flowers.

Salmonberry (Rubus Spectabilis)

Table of Contents

• Salmonberry Scientific Name
• Salmonberry Description
• Salmonberry Plant
• Salmonberry Distribution
• How to Grow Salmonberry
• Salmonberry Health Benefits
• Salmonberry Nutritional Facts
• Salmonberry Uses
  • Edible Uses
  • Medicinal Uses
  • Other Uses
• Using Salmonberry during Pregnancy
• How to Store Salmonberry
• Salmonberry Recipes
• Salmonberry Side Effects
• Salmonberry Availability
• Salmonberry Interesting Facts
• Salmonberry Pictures

 

The scientific name for this plant is Rubus spectabilis.

The fruits of these shrubs are a close relative of raspberries. Here is a general description of the fruits:

Picture 1 – Salmonberry

Size: The fruits consist of numerous drupelets tightly bundled around a single central receptacle. Each fruit grows 1.5 cm to 2 cm long.

Color: Their color varies from yellow to reddish orange.

Shape: These ovoid or globose fruits resemble large raspberries.

Taste and Flavor: Their taste ranges from sweet to slightly sour. They have a delectable aroma when ripe.

The plants of this species are highly valued for their attractive appearance. They grow 1 meter to 4 meters in height. Their trifoliate leaves grow between 7 cm and 22 cm in length. Each leaf generally consists of three leaflets with the terminal leaflet being larger than the other two. These leaves have serrated margin. The purple flowers grow 2 cm to 3 cm in diameter and have five petals.

Salmonberries are indigenous to the western coasts of North America. Their distribution range extends from west central regions of Alaska to California. They have been naturalized in various northwest European regions including Great Britain, Faroe Islands and Ireland.

Picture 2 – Salmonberry Picture

They can be grown from seeds as well as from rhizomes, root cuttings, basal sprouting, and hardwood cuttings.

Salmonberry plants can grow in various types of soils including neutral, basic, acidic and organic soils. They prefer moist soil with the pH level ranging between 5.7 and 7.2. The plants can grow both in full and partial sunlight.

The seeds need to be planted in moist soil during fall. Seeds sown in spring require warm stratification of 20°C to 30 °C followed by 90 days of cold stratification at 2°C to 5°C. Young plants need to be watered at least once every 2 to 3 weeks on the first summer during their growth. Applying a slow released and balanced fertilizer can be beneficial for the plants. One should prune these plants in late winter and early spring to keep them in the desired size and shape.

The plants flower from early spring to early summer while their fruits ripen between late summer and early autumn. These fruits are harvested after they are properly matured. They are generally handpicked from the bushes.

Many health benefits can be derived from the Salmonberries:

• These berries are completely cholesterol free.
• They do not contain any saturated fats.
• Their high manganese contents make them beneficial for humans.
• The fruits are also a rich source of the vitamins C and K.
• The leaves and roots of these shrubs have astringent properties.
• Their root bark is astringent, analgesic, stomachic and disinfectant.

Here is the nutritional fact for each ounce (28 gram) of this fruit:

The berries are considered to have an insipid taste by some people. But depending on the place they grow in, properly ripe berries have a delicious taste and are used for various purposes:

Picture 3 – Salmonberry Image

• The sweet berries can be eaten raw.
• They are often used for flavoring candies.
• Jams and jellies are made from the Salmonberry following simple recipes.
• They are also used for making wine and other alcoholic beverages.
• Young shoots of these plants are eaten both raw and cooked like asparagus.
• The sprouts can be cooked with salmon or many other fishes.
• Their leaves are sometimes used as substitute for tea.

• A poultice made from their leaves is used for dressing burns.
• Decoction of the roots is used for treating various stomach complaints.
• The decoction is also useful for lessening labor pain.
• The bark of these plants is powdered to be used for treating burns and soars.
• Poultice made from the bark is applied to ease tooth ache and to cure open wounds.

• The fruits are sometimes used for obtaining a bluish or purple dye.
• The plants of this species are often grown as ornamental plants.

It is advisable to avoid consuming these fruits in any form during pregnancy as it may cause some complications.

It is not possible to store this fruit for more than 1 to 2 days under refrigeration. It should be washed just before use otherwise the fruit may become too squashy.

Picture 4 – Salmonberry Jam

Here are the names of some popular recipes using this fruit:

• Salmonberry Pie
• Salmonberry cake
• Salmonberry Jam
• Salmonberry Crunch

There are no known side effects of these fruits. But, over consumption may result in some adverse effects. They may also cause allergic reactions to some people.

Fresh fruits are occasionally sold in shops. Salmonberry jam is available online with its price ranging from $5 to $6.

Here are some interesting facts about this fruit and its plant:

• This edible fruit was a very important food source for the native people of North America.
• Despite its name, Salmonberry is not a true berry.
• There are approximately 315,250 seeds in each kilogram of this fruit.
• Its seeds can be stored for several years at 5 °C temperature.
• The name “Salmonberry” is believed to have derived from the fact that Native Americans traditionally ate this berry with salmon and salmon roe.

Here are some images of these berries and its shrubs.

Picture 5 – Salmonberry Flower

Picture 6 – Salmonberry Plant

References:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/rubus_spectabilis.shtml

http://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/rspectabilis.htm

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/rubus-spectabilis=salmonberry.php

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47543-Rubus-spectabilis

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=22670