I was a boy. South of New York and the Great Lakes region it is apparently found in scattered patches in mountainous sections. We were, however, familiar with the cultivated forms, the Hansall, Cuthbert, and other varieties of raspberries that were derived from this species. The wild berries may be used for any purpose and in any manner that the cultivated varieties are used.
Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus strigosus) Hither soon as spring is fled You and Charles and I will walk; Lurking berries, ripe and red, 'Then will hang on every stalk, Each within its leafy bower ; And for that promise spare the flower! —Worpsworth, “Foresight”
BLACK RASPBERRY, THIMBLEBERRY, BLACKCAP Rubus occidentalis THE stems or canes are often six or eight feet long or more. When the tips touch the ground they take root. The stems are glaucous or whitened with a bloom and are armed with hooked prickles. The leaves are composed of three (rarely five) double- serrate leaflets which are white and downy beneath. The flowers in size and appearance are much like those of the red raspberry. The purple-black fruit is ripe in July and August, or as early as June in the southern part of its range. This plant is native from Quebec and Ontario south to Missouri and Georgia. It is very common along fence rows, in clearings and burnt-over lands.
<Callout type="important" title="Key Identification">Black raspberries are easily identified by their purple-black fruit and hooked prickles on the stems.</Callout> The wild black raspberry stands at the very top among our wild fruits. None in my opinion surpasses it in pleasing flavor. A num- ber of cultivated forms, such as the Kansas and the Gregg, have been derived from this species. In flavor, they are probably no better than the wild ones but are larger and more productive. The black raspberry grows much farther south than the red species. This fruit was very valuable to the early settlers and is much sought after today. These berries are excellent for pies, jellies, and jams, and certainly nothing could be better for dessert Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) when served with sugar and cream. Being quite firm, they are easily dried or preserved.
<Callout type="tip" title="Preservation Tip">Black raspberries can be easily dried or preserved due to their firmness.</Callout> The Purple Raspberry, Rubus neglectus, found in rocky woods from New England to Pennsylvania and west to Ontario and Ohio, is probably a self-perpetuating hybrid as it is intermediate between the red and the black species. The berries are a little more tart than either of the two. It is the parent of several cultivated 27 Purple Raspberry varieties.
<Callout type="risk" title="Harvesting Risk">Purple raspberries can be sour, so ensure they are fully ripe before harvesting.</Callout> The Wild Raspberry of the far western states, Rubus leucoder- mis, is also an excellent wild species. The fruit is either black or red. Dr, Harvey M. Hall says, “Its berries are as highly flavored as those of any cultivated species and are eagerly sought by campers, who usually find, however, that the birds have preceded them.”
THE DWARF RASPBERRY Rubus triflorus Rubus americanus Tuis berry is found in swamps and wet woods from Labrador to Alaska and south to New Jersey, Ohio, and Nebraska. The reddish purple fruit is quite large and juicy. Some authors state that the berries are sour, but my experience is that, when fully ripe, they are rather sweet and very pleasant. The only trouble is that very few berries form and the plant itself is rare in many parts of its range.
<Callout type="beginner" title="Rarity Note">Dwarf raspberries are rare and produce fewer berries than other species.</Callout> The Dwarf Raspberry is apparently intermediate between the blackberries and raspberries. The plant is low, generally trailing, herbaceous or only slightly woody, with three (rarely five) leaflets and no prickles. The fruit is ripe in July and August.
CLOUDBERRY, OR BAKED-APPLE BERRY Rubus Chamaemorus AN interesting little raspberry is found from the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire north to arctic America and west to British Columbia and Alaska. It grows in bogs and moist places and reaches a height of four to ten inches, from a creeping herbace- pus rootstock. The leaves, two or three in number, are nearly round, slightly five-lobed. The solitary white flower is followed by an amber-colored fruit which is juicy and pleasant when ripe.
<Callout type="gear" title="Storage Tip">Cloudberries can be stored and sold in markets due to their pleasant taste.</Callout> It is gathered and sold in the markets of cities and towns of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and travelers who have seen and eaten
Key Takeaways
- Identify wild raspberries by their distinctive leaves and stems.
- Black raspberries are highly valued for their flavor and versatility in cooking.
- Purple raspberries can be tart, so ensure they are fully ripe before harvesting.
Practical Tips
- Use black raspberries to make pies, jams, and jellies due to their firmness.
- Cloudberries can be stored and sold in markets for their pleasant taste.
Warnings & Risks
- Purple raspberries may be sour if not fully ripe.
- Dwarf raspberries are rare and produce fewer berries than other species.
Modern Application
This chapter provides valuable information on identifying and utilizing wild berries, which is still highly relevant today. Modern survivalists can benefit from knowing how to find and use these natural resources for sustenance and cooking in emergency situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the key differences between black raspberries and red raspberries?
Black raspberries have purple-black fruit, hooked prickles on their stems, and grow much farther south than red raspberries. They are highly valued for their flavor and versatility in cooking.
Q: How can I tell if a cloudberry is ripe?
Cloudberries are amber-colored when ripe and have a juicy, pleasant taste. They grow in bogs and moist places from the mountains of Maine north to arctic America and west to British Columbia and Alaska.
Q: What should I do if I find dwarf raspberries?
Dwarf raspberries are rare and produce fewer berries than other species. They grow in swamps and wet woods from Labrador to Alaska and south to New Jersey, Ohio, and Nebraska. When fully ripe, they can be sweet and pleasant.