A prolific shrub in the Pacific Northwest, this plant the tell-tale thorny stems of the Rubus species, but the edible aggregate berries are orange rather than red or black.

Rubus spectabilis

Salmonberry

Description:

Erect shrub often growing in thickets, strongly bristly below, with few to many weak thorns above.
Stems round, yellowish or brownish, bark shredding.
Leaves divided into 3 or sometimes 5 distinct, sharply toothed leaflets.
Flowers 1–1 1/2 in. across, 5 petals pink to magenta.
Fruit yellow, salmon, or reddish, mushy in texture, edible but not flavorful.
Grows along coast and streams, in deep moist woods, burns and clearings, banks of Columbia River, to 5000 ft.
First collected by Meriwether Lewis on the banks of the Columbia on March 27, 1806.

Rarity: Locally Common
Flowering Time: Early-Mid Spring
Life Cycle: Perennial
Height: 3--15 feet
Habitat: Coastal, West-Side Forest, East-Side Forest, Moist Riverbanks
Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, West Gorge, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
Native: Yes