Thimbleberry Shrub Native to North America

Foliage, Flowers, and Flattened Red Berries of Rose Family Member

Jul 13, 2009

The native Thimbleberry shrub is one of the few rose family members without thorns.

Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry), a member of the Rosaceae family, is a native plant in parts of North America. Historically, it grew in areas from British Columbia to Ontario and some parts of New England. Now growing in wider areas, it appears from northern California to New Mexico.

Native Shrub is Thornless

This perennial spreads as a dense shrub by rhizomes into wide thickets under favorable conditions. The ‘unarmed’ (thornless) erect canes will grow to heights of three to six feet. Stalks are finely hairy in the young stage. As they mature, they become smooth. Older, brown-gray stems are often flaky or exfoliating.

The deciduous leaves have shapes similar to those of the maple tree. They measure four to eight inches in width with serrated edges. Medium green, they can be smooth or slightly fuzzy on both sides.

Flowers and Flattened Edible Berries in Clusters

Flowers of this native shrub appear on short stems. White (sometimes with a pink flush), they have pale yellow centres, and are flat-bowl shaped with five petals. The species name parviflorus means ‘small-flowered’, but this plant’s flowers are among the largest in the genus. The flower clusters contain from three to ten blooms that develop at the branches’ ends.

The bright red edible berries that ripen in mid to late summer are somewhat tart. Growing in clusters, they are similar in form to raspberries, but quite different in shape. In comparison, they appear somewhat flattened. Like raspberries, the fruit is actually an aggregate of numerous drupelets that form around a central core. The fruit is a valuable food for songbirds, game birds, and large and small mammals. It is also enjoyed by people during hikes.

The soft fruit is seldom cultivated for commercial purposes as it does not ship well. In some areas where the shrubs are plentiful, Thimbleberry jam is sold as a local delicacy.

Rubus parviflorus grows well in moist areas such as stream banks and meadows. In lowland areas, it is often found along roadsides and in open forests and open wooded hillsides. It commonly appears in forest areas that were clear cut or burned. It does not inhibit further growth of most trees in recovering areas. According to the “Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia”, Thimbleberry occurs within boreal and temperate climates with decreasing occurrence in higher elevation.

This is an excellent shrub for naturalizing moist areas of gardens. It does not require special soil conditions, and often grows on unprepared surfaces. With its fast-growing feature, the dense shrub will quickly form a summer privacy screen that is also a wildlife cover.

Propagation Methods and Common Name Origin

Propagation is possible by planting dormant rhizome pieces. Cuttings of young stems and plantings of seeds will also produce new Thimbleberry shrubs.

The common name of this shrub may have originated from its resemblance to the thimble. Other common names sometimes applied are Capberry or Scotch Cap for the headwear worn by some Canadian and British infantrymen during World War II.

Always be absolutely sure of the identification of wild foods before eating them. It is best to consult at least two reputable field guides.

The copyright of the article Thimbleberry Shrub Native to North America in Shrubs is owned by Kathleen Airdrie. Permission to republish Thimbleberry Shrub Native to North America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.