Cloudberry, Low-bush salmonberry
Rubus chamaemorus
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A creeping herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 8-25 cm high. Young shoots arise from the rhizome or thin creeping rootstock. The leaves are 5-8 cm across. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers occur singly. The flowers are white and 4 cm across. There are often only 4 petals. The fruit are reddish-orange to yellow. They are edible.
There are about 250 Rubus species. They are high in Vitamin C. They have health benefits.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate plant. It can grow in cold climates including the Arctic circle. It grows on acidic bog and peat tundras. It grows in swamps. In China it is in the northern provinces. It suits plant hardiness zones 2-5.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Arctic, Asia, Australia, Belarus, Britain, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, North America, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Sweden, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw and also frozen for later use. They can be used in preserves and in pastries. They can be stewed, used for tarts, jellies, wine and vinegar. The leaves are dried and then used for tea drinks.
It is harvested by indigenous people in polar regions. (Sami and Inuits) It is a significant food. It is harvested commercially. It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Flowers, fruit, leaves - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ahtchaigpiat, Akavzik, Akpik, Aqavsik, Aqevyiit, Aqpik, Arktische brombeere, Atsalugpiaq, Atsarpait, Atsat, Bakeberry, Baked-apple Berry, Hillo, Hjortron, Kabalad, Lacenes, Lakka, Malka, Moltebeere, Moroshka, Murukas, Muuroi, Naunraq, Naunrat, Rokhletsy, Salmonberry, Torfbeere, Yellowberry