Thimbleberry - ɫəɫaqac - (Rubus parviflorus)
An upright bramble shrub without thorns, Thimbleberry, has large, lobed, and velvety leaves that turn a bright-golden yellow in the fall. Flowers bloom May to June in clusters and are a large and white. Thimbleberries ripen July through September and are a deliciously tart thimble-shaped berry that fit perfectly on fingertips-as the name suggests. The fruit can give off a honey-like smell and attract all manner of wildlife.
Thimbleberries are a special trailside treat, considered by some too soft and juicy to save, they can often only be found in the forest (or your backyard). Thimbleberries are delicious, but the plant offers more than just fruit; the leaves can be fermented into a lovely black tea that has notes of banana bread, the flowers can be eaten raw in salads, and a blue dye can be made from the berries!
*Prefers sun to partial shade
*Adaptable to different soil as long as it is well-drained
*Suitable on slopes, edges, open fields, and shorelines
*Typically, 2 to 9 feet in height
*Sold Bare Root
*Sold in bundles of 5
ɫəɫaqac *Lushootseed provided by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program and audio by Chris Briden, Puyallup Tribal member.