Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Rubus
Species:
Rubus spectabilis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub , Vine
Height:
12-20 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
Red, Pink, Purple
Food Forest:
Plant contains edible parts
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Adelphagrotis stellaris, Cerastis enigmatica, Double Dart (Graphiphora augur), Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), Smith's Dart (Xestia smithii)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Thrives in damp, forested areas

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: For seeds: Sow into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs, seal trays in plastic bags and refrigerate at 1 to 3 °C for 120 days, keep moist and treat with 1% hydrogen peroxide if mold is evident. For cuttings: Dip in mild bleach solution for 30 seconds, recut to 4 inch lengths including 3 nodes each, treat with Hormex rooting powder and strike in flats containing 3:1 perlite/vermiculite.

Establishment: Seeds are collected from ripe fruits, generally from June through August. Cuttings are collected between November 1st and January 31st. The plant is found in moist places and wetlands, especially along streamsides and riparian areas at elevations below 1400 m. It ranges from Alaska south to northwestern California, from the coast to the Cascades.

Source: npn.rngr.net