Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Fragrant Thimbleberry

Thimbleberry grows to 3m tall with perennial, not biennial stems. This differs from many other shrub species in the genus. Also, this plant does not have thorns (as do many of the other related species). The leaves are palmately loved with 5 (and rarely 3 or 7) loves, up to 25 cm long and broad, superficially resembling Maple leaves. The flower, 3-5 cm in diameter, have 5 purple petals and are produced from early spring to early fall. The fruit of the Thimbleberry matures in late summer to early autumn and resembles large, flay raspberrys with many drupelets. It is rather fuzzy to the touch and tongue.

Back to Top

Thimbleberry is widely grown as an ornamental plany for its conspicuous flowers and long flowering period. This plant preferes rich, slightly acidic soil, moderate water, and partial shade. It is locally naturalized in parts of Washington and Europe, most noteably southeastern England.

Back to Top

• Wikipedia - Fragrant Thimbleberry
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_odoratus
• Plants for a Future Database
  http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Rubus+odoratus
• USDA PLANTS Database
  http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RUOD
• Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers in Color

Back to Top