The genus Rubus, (especially the blackberries, which are often loosely referred to as Rubus fruticosus agg.) presents some of the most difficult taxonomic problems. This is partly due to the frequency of polyploidy; also to the frequent occurrence of hybridization; and also due to apomixis, where minor differences between plants are preserved because seedlings are genetically identical to their parent. As a result, differences of opinion on the number of species to be recognized from a given region can vary tremendously (for example, a treatment by M. L. Fernald[] in 1950 recognized 205 species for the northern half of the eastern United States plus parts of southeastern Canada, whilst H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist in 1991 recognized only 25)[]. Where possible, a relatively conservative approach is taken here[].

Common Name: Salmonberry

General Information

Rubus spectabilis is a deciduous shrub producing a cluster of erect to arching, usually prickly, biennial stems 100 - 400cm tall from a woody rootstock. The stems bear leaves only in their first year, forming flower-bearing branches in their second yea of growth and dying after fruiting. Spreading by means of rhizomes, the plant frequently forms dense thickets[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and sometimes also as a medicine. It is occasionally cultivated in N. America, and also sometimes in Europe, for its large edible fruits and, owing to its conspicuous pink flowers, is also grown as an ornamental shrub[].
The plant has sometimes escaped from cultivation and it has become locally naturalized in parts of western and central Europe[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Alaska, British Colombia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California

Habitat

Moist spots in and about woods; at elevations below 300 metres in California[]. Woodlands, woodland edges, bogs, shorelines, roadsides, disturbed areas, moist to wet soil; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus spectabilis is hardy to about -25°c[].
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. Grows well in the shade of trees[] though it is less likely to fruit well in such a position[]. Salmonberry tolerates a wide range of soil types and grows well on rich loam, loamy clays, pure peat, and excessively drained gravel. Soils tend to be acidic and of relatively low fertility. Soils supporting salmonberry are often saturated for much of the year. Good growth has been reported on rocky alluvium with a high percentage of fines and a well-developed humus layer[].
A very ornamental plant, but it is invasive[], and does not always fruit well outside its native range[, ].
Plants are usually self-incompatible - fruits are not always produced unless two or more different forms are grown[].
The plant is fairly resistant to fire - top growth is killed but it usually resprouts vigorously from the base[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
Rubus spectabilis is a thicket-forming shrub that has relatively large and desirably edible fruit. The species is used as an ornamental primarily for its robust, showy flowers and is naturalized in parts of western Europe. It is sister to the Hawaiian endemic Rubus hawaiiensis A. Gray[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[, , , , , , ]. Juicy with a very good flavour[, ]. The fruit can be made into jams and jellies[]. 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[]. 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[]. Another report says that it fruits freely in Britain[]. The yellow, orange, or red, globose to ovoid, fruit is 10 - 20mm in diameter[].

Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw or cooked like asparagus[, , , , ]. They are harvested in the spring as they grow above the soil and whilst they are still tender[].
In spring the young sprouts were eaten and were usually the first fresh food of the season[].

Flowers - raw[].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

The leaves and the root are astringent[]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been used as a dressing on burns[].

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

Agroforestry Uses:

The deep root system of salmonberry can help prevent soil erosion on steep slopes[]
Salmonberry is a pioneer or early seral species noted for its ability to spread aggressively on disturbed sites. A certain amount of soil disturbance is essential for good seedling establishment. Seedlings generally appear in abundance after fire, timber harvest, or other types of disturbance. Rhizomes enable the plant to spread vigorously and form dense patches. In many areas dense stands may form within 2 to 3 years after disturbance[]. The stands will often diminish as tree species become established and form a canopy, though it can persist almost indefinitely, especially under hardwood canopies such as Alder.

Other Uses

The plant is used in breeding programmes with the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in North America[].

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].

The hollowed stems are used as pipes[]. (The report does not specify what type of pipes)

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].