Salmonberry is one of the four species within the genus Rubus that we frequently encounter around Nanaimo. While the other three species (R. bifrons, R. parviflorus and R. ursinus) can handle drier habitats, salmonberry prefers moist to wet sites. You might find it in the forest alongside red alder, or along streams and drainages.
Salmonberry stems stand up on their own rather than trail along the ground (like those of R. ursinus) or climb on other plants (like those of R. bifrons). A full grown shrub of salmonberry is generally between 1.6 – 2.5 m tall. Here in a sunny spot with plenty of moisture, right next to a stream. Photo credit: Margy Lutz Powell River BooksA thicket of salmonberry growing in a moist spot in the forest. Note the trifoliate compound leaves. Photo credit: Jean Pawek via CalPhotosThe leaves of salmonberry are sharply toothed with three leaflets per compound leaf. Note that the bottom two leaflets are quite deeply lobed. Photo credit: Celine DeJong via iNaturalistThe leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern along the stem. Photo credit: Sydney Kerr via iNaturalistThe stems of salmonberry have a golden-brown bark. Stems, and often leaf stalks too, have prickles (thorns). On very old stems, the prickles may have fallen off as the outer layers of the bark has been shed, but you’ll always find some prickles on a salmonberry bush. Photo credit: Journeybug via iNaturalistNote the prickly stem. The flower of salmonberry, like most other flowers in the family Rosaceae, have five petals and many stamens. Photo credit: dPom via iNaturalistIt is possible that salmonberry got its species epithet ‘spectabilis’ for its spectacularly beautiful flower. Salmonberry is among the first shrubs to flower in the spring, just a bit later than osoberry. Photo credit: Brewbooks via iNaturalist.Raspberry-like fruits develop around midsummer in Nanaimo. Photo credit: Staffan LindgrenThe colour of the ripe salmonherry fruit ranges from yellow to deep red. The fruit is juicy and edible. Photo credit: GoHernando via Reddit
Salmonberry has traditional uses as a food source. In early spring, the young tender shoots were used as a vegetable, and in summer the fruits were collected.
Compare and contrast salmonberry to Himalayan blackberry (R. bifrons) and the two native Rubus species listed on this site: thimbleberry (R. parviflorus) and trailing blackberry (R. ursinus). Focus on leaf-shape and number of leaflets per leaf, growth habit (trailing or upright), presence or absence of prickles on stem.
