How to identify Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

How to identify Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry, also known as Salmon raspberry

Salmonberry is characterized by its erect to arching growth habit, reaching heights of 3-12 feet (0.9-3.6 meters). This robust shrub displays stems studded with numerous prickles. It is worth noting that newer growth often exhibits a higher concentration of these prickles toward the ends. Salmonberry's presence in a landscape can be particularly notable in moist, shaded areas where its dense, thicket-forming nature provides a distinct visual mass.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Salmonberry

Robust shrub reaching 3-12 feet (0.9-3.6 meters) with stems covered in prickles.

Magenta-pink flowers, 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide, with five radial symmetrical petals.

Fruit changes from yellow to red, forming 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) spherical drupelet clusters.

Stems exhibit winter color shift to golden-brown to rust-red, with prickles on new growth.

Detailed Traits of Salmonberry

Leaf Features

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,

Ovate

Leaf Type

Trifoliate

Leaf Base

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Serrate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Salmonberry flowers are striking with their magenta-pink hue, blooming from March to June. Each flower measures up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter and features five prominent petals. The petals are arranged in a radial symmetry, creating a distinct and easily recognizable appearance. The vibrant color and specific petal configuration are key identifiers of these blooms. These features make the flowers a prominent aspect of salmonberry during their blooming period.

Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Solitary

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of salmonberry features prickles on new growth, providing a slightly rough texture. It is slender, typically around 0.25-0.5 inches (0.6-1.3 cm) in diameter. During winter, the stems transition to a striking golden-brown to rust-red color. The branches often have an arching pattern, with older stems becoming more woody and less prickly over time. The combination of color and texture makes the stem easily identifiable, especially in seasonal changes.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of salmonberry evolves from a yellow hue to a vibrant orange, finally maturing to a deep red. Each fruit is an aggregate of drupelets clustered tightly to form a roughly spherical shape, with a soft, plump texture and dimensions reaching about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) in diameter. As the fruit ripens, its surface becomes slightly glossy, hinting at the juicy interior that is coveted by both wildlife and humans for its sweet flavor.

Fruit Type

Aggregate fruit

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Salmonberry and Their Similar Plants

Red raspberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

Red raspberry is a perennial forest shrub with elongated, thorny stems. The stems grow rapidly during their first year and bloom in their second year. The plant produces small, aggregate fruit that has a distinct aroma and a sweet-and-sour taste. Rubus idaeus cultivars are hybrids between this red raspberry and the American species R. Strigosus.

Common blackberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is a deciduous shrub endemic to North America. This wild plant is commonly found on clearings and woodland margins. Its fruit is edible and has a sweet, mildly spicy taste. The fruits are most commonly eaten raw, but they can also be cooked or dried.

Black raspberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

The black raspberry is occasionally grown commercially, although not very popular due to its low yield. Black raspberry can be consumed dried, frozen, fresh, as a purée, juiced or in liqueur. Besides, it can also be used as a natural dye.

Wineberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

Wineberry (*Rubus phoenicolasius*) is a plant species native to northeast Asia. Wineberry has been naturalized in both Europe and North America as an ornamental plant. This plant is edible, and its berries are sometimes mistaken for raspberries or blackberries.

Northern dewberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

Northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) is a perennial shrub related to the rose. Northern dewberry has a fragrant smell and attracts many bees to serve as pollinators. The berries from northern dewberry are edible and commonly made into pies.

Southern dewberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

The southern dewberry is a delicious and edible fruit-bearing plant with dark blueberries that can appear black. The taste is sweet and can be used for jams or pies. The leaves, meanwhile, can be used to make tea. It is a special delicacy in the southern United States, where the Rubus trivialis originated.

Purple-flowering raspberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

The purple-flowering raspberry is a type of raspberry bush with large showy flowers and no thorns or prickers to get in your way. The flowers on this bush will last throughout the summer, giving way to some tart, though still edible, small-sized berries. Also known as the thimbleberry or Rubus odoratus, this delightful bush can spread into large thickets.

Cutleaf evergreen blackberry vs. Salmonberry: What's The Difference?

The fruit of cutleaf evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus) ripens in late summer. The fruit starts its life as a crimson color but turns black when it’s mature. Cutleaf evergreen blackberry berries are edible and used to make jellies and jams.

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Key Facts About Salmonberry

Attributes of Salmonberry

Spread

60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 8 cm

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

Red

Fruit Color

Red

Yellow

Orange

Gold

Burgundy

Stem Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Brown

Burgundy

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Salmonberry

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Brambles

Species

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Learn More About the Salmonberry

Distribution Map of Salmonberry

Salmonberry is native to the west coast of North America. It is often found in moist areas beneath tree canopies, stream banks, and dappled shade. It has been introduced to Northern Europe and Australia.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Salmonberry

A Comprehensive Guide to Salmonberry How to Grow and Care for Salmonberry