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Salmonberry (pale pink)

Rubus spectabilis

Description:

Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry) is a species of Rubus native to the west coast of North America from west central Alaska to California. It is a shrub growing to 1–4 m tall, with perennial, not biennial woody stems (unlike other species). The leaves are trifoliate, 7–22 cm long, the terminal leaflet larger than the two side leaflets. The leaf margins are toothed. The flowers are 2–3 cm diameter, with five purple petals; they are produced from early spring to early summer. The fruit matures in late summer to early autumn, and resembles a large yellow to orange-red raspberry 1.5–2 cm long with many drupelets. In the Pacific Northwest of North America the berries can ripen from mid-June to late-July.

Habitat:

Salmonberries are found in moist forests and stream margins, especially in the coastal forests. They often form large thickets, and thrive in the open spaces under stands of red alder (Alnus rubra).

Notes:

I always thought that Salmonberry has magenta flowers, but I spotted this pale pink version in the same area where the magenta ones grow. I don't know how common this pale pink one is, but this is the first time I've seen this one. Please compare this with the magenta version (the last photo) as well as my other Salmonberry spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/228.... Does anybody know if the berries in autumn will be the same color regardless of the flower colors?

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2 Comments

YukoChartraw
YukoChartraw 10 years ago

Thank you Debbie!

Debbie Stewart
Debbie Stewart 10 years ago

Very pretty Yuko!

YukoChartraw
Spotted by
YukoChartraw

Puyallup, Washington, USA

Spotted on May 4, 2013
Submitted on May 5, 2013

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