Salmonberry - stəgʷədac - (Rubus spectabilis)
Salmonberry is a perennial, thicket-forming shrub with deep roots, trifoliate leaves with toothed margins and stems containing fine prickles. The shrub flowers from early spring to early summer with small, pinkish-purple solitary flowers followed by edible yellow to reddish-orange raspberry-like fruit that is tart with a mild sweetness.
Fruit usually begins to occur two to three years after planting. The berries ripen in early May to late July and are extremely nutritious (high in antioxidants) raw, but can also be turned into syrups, jams, candies, or baked into pies. Native Americans have traditionally eaten this plants berry paired with salmon and consumed the plants young shoots.
*Prefers partial shade. Sun and shade tolerant.
*Prefers rich, nutrient-dense, moist soils. Flood tolerant.
*Suitable on slopes, as an ornamental, near lakes, ponds, or streams, or as hedges
*Typically, 3 to 13 feet in height, 30 feet wide
*Sold Bare Root
*Sold in bundles of 5
stəgʷədac *Lushootseed provided by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program and audio by Chris Briden, Puyallup Tribal member.