Thimbleberry
Rubus parviflorus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Rubus parviflorus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Woodlands, canyons and open areas.

Western N. America - Alaska to Ontario and California. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. It makes excellent jams and preserves. The fruit can also be dried for later use. A sweet and pleasant flavour though this is not always properly developed in the cooler summers of Britain. The fruit is very seedy. Rich in vitamin C. The hemispherical fruit is about 20mm in diameter. Young shoots - peeled and eaten cooked or raw. The shoots are harvested as they emerge in the spring, and whilst they are still young and tender. They can be cooked like asparagus. The shoots are rich in vitamin C. Flowers - raw.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The leaves are antiemetic, astringent, blood tonic and stomachic. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of stomach complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery, anaemia, the spitting up of blood and to treat vomiting. An infusion has been taken by women when their periods are unusually long. A poultice of the dried powdered leaves has been used to treat wounds and burns. The leaves have been crushed and rubbed over the skin to treat pimples and blackheads. A poultice of the leaf ashes, mixed with oil, has been used to treat swellings. The young shoots are alterative and antiscorbutic. The roots are appetizer, astringent, stomachic and tonic. An infusion has been used by thin people to help them gain weight. An infusion has also been used in the treatment of stomach disorders, diarrhoea and dysentery. A decoction of the roots has been taken in the treatment of pimples and blackheads.

Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content

Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Other

Rating: 3

The leaves are used to line baskets etc for carrying soft fruit or other delicate items. Plants are very vigorous and can be grown as a tall ground cover for large areas. A soap is obtained from the boiled bark. A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Lining: Used for lining boxes, baskets etc so that fragile items can be more safely carried in them.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Can be grown in a woodland garden though it is less likely to fruit well in such a position. This plant has perennial stems without prickles and is less invasive than the related R. odoratus. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant.

Propagating it: Seed - requires stratification, is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as early as possible in the year in a cold frame and stratify for a month at 3°c if sowing later than February. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

R. nutkanus.