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Rubus parviflorus
Thimbleberry fruits are smaller, flatter, and softer than raspberries, and have many small seeds. Because the fruit is so soft, it does not pack or ship well, so thimbleberries are rarely cultivated commercially. However, the wild thimbleberries can be eaten raw or dried and can be made into a jam which is sold as a local delicacy in some parts of their range, notably in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan.
Forested Hilside
Many parts of the Thimbleberry plant were used for a great variety of medicinal purposes by Native Americans. They are very high in Vitamin C as well as A and can be used to treat scurvy. A poultice of the dried, powdered leaves can be used to treat wounds and burns, as well as the fresh ones to treat acne. A tea made from its leaves or roots can be used as a treatment for nausea, vomiting diarrhea and dysentery. The Concow tribe calls the plant wä-sā’ (Konkow language)
Spotted on Feb 13, 2017
Submitted on Feb 13, 2017
5 Comments
Is this eatable?
Rubus parviflorus, commonly called thimbleberry, is a species of Rubus native to North America
really bright and beautiful berry
Thanks Bella123. I faintly remember my grandfather telling me that as far as he knew, they only grew in the northern-most part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and in some northern parts of Maine, with the exception of Canada. But I believe that I read somewhere, that they also grow out west. All that I know for a fact, is that they definitely grow in Michigan's Copper Country (Keweenaw Peninsula) and that they are one of my favorite berries to pick and make jam from.
I love these! My family used to pick them all the time in Michigan. Seems like they are not as well known in other regions of the country, though. Thanks for posting!