Western Thimbleberry
Rubus parviflorus
Thimbleberry is a dense shrub with tall, slender stalks reaching up to 2.5 meters. The erect, flexible stalks are covered in gray flaking bark. The large, maple-like leaves — 5-20 cm across — have five, softly haired lobes. The clusters of white (and sometimes light pink) flowers at the end of the stems have five white petals. The flowers, 2-6 cm in diameter, have a vey similar appearance to blackberry flowers. The plant produces a raspberry-like fruit with a half-sphere shape. The fruit, typically 10-15 millimeters in diameter, ripens to bright red at the end of summer.
Basic Information
Member of the Rosaceae (Rose) family
In the genus of raspberries and blackberries, but unlike most other members of the genus, it has no thorns
Shrub and occasionally a perennial herb
Deciduous
Habitat
Native to western North America from Alaska down to California, and east Ontario and Michigan
Commonly found in stream sides and open woodlands
Ecological Role
This plant has special value to native bees, bumblebees, and honey bees
Provides nesting material for native bees
Fruit consumed by birds and bears
The young leaves and stems are browsed by deer
Reproduction
Blooms from May to August
Flower bloom at the same time as leaves emerge
Alternative Names
Redcaps
Historical Uses
The berries were eaten, fresh, dried, and made into cakes and jellies, by many native tribes
The young sprouts were also eaten
Berries were used as dye by the Blackfoot
The Cowlitz used a poultice of dried leaves for burns and boiled the dried bark for soap
The Makah used the dried leaves for anemia
The Kwakiutl used a decoction of the leaves for blood spitting and vomiting
