THIMBLE-BERRY.
Rubus Nutkanus, Mocino. Rose Family.
Stems.—Three to eight feet high. Leaves.—Palmately and nearly equally five-lobed; cordate at base; four to twelve inches broad; the lobes acute; densely tomentose beneath. Flowers.—Few; clustered; white, sometimes pale rose; an inch or two across, with rounded petals. Stamens and Pistils.—Numerous. Fruit.—Large; red; "like an inverted saucer;" sweet and rather dry. Hab.—Monterey to Alaska.
The thimble-berry is unequaled for the canopy of pure light-green foliage which it spreads in our woods. It would take the clearest of water-colors to portray its color and texture. The large white flowers, with their crumpled petals, are deliciously fragrant, but with us are never followed by an edible fruit, probably owing to the dryness of our summer climate. In Oregon and northward the berries are said to be luscious. There the bushes grow in the fir forests, where they seem most at home.
Rubus spectabilis, Pursh., the salmon-berry, has leaves with three leaflets, and large solitary, rose-colored flowers, which are followed by a salmon-colored berry. These shrubs are exceedingly beautiful when in full bloom.