Plant Data Sheet
Species (common name, Latin
name)
Thimbleberry, Rubus
parviflorus
Range
Climate, elevation
Low elevations in the north, low to sub-alpine elevations in
the south. (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994); up to 2000-2700m (Rose et al., 1998)
Local occurrence (where, how
common)
Open sites (clearings, road edges, shorelines, avalanche tracks) or open forest-often red
alder (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994); 2100m in P.N.W. (Rose et
al., 1998)
Habitat preferences
Moist to dry, wooded to open sites. Along streamsides and
canyons, on borders and roadsides. Abundant on disturbed sites within forest
canopy as scattered individuals; although some areas of dense stands. (Rook,
2002)
Plant strategy
type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral,
late successional)
Persitent succesional species, dominates understory during
first several decades after disturbance, especially fire. (Rook, 2002)
Associated species
Populus tremuloides,
Linnaea borealis, Ribes oxyacanthoides, Salix spp., Chamerion angustifolium,
Lupinus spp., Pteridium aquilinum. (Rook, 2002)
May be collected as: (seed,
layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed, vegetatively-cuttings or rhizomes (Rook, 2002)
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
Fruit/seed production= spring to summer-especially August-
(VegSpec, 2003); collect seed before or as soon as berries are ripe (Rose et
al., 1998)
Seed germination (needs
dormancy breaking?)
Seeds have hard, impermeable endocarp and dormant
embryo-germination is often slow. Exposure to sulfuric acid solutions or sodium
hyperchlorite prior to cold stratification increases germination. (Rook, 2002)
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Store damp in refrigerator over winter, sow in February-low humidity for longer storage periods. (Rose et al., 1998)
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Specific germination requirements have not yet been
documented. Warm (68-86°) and cold (36-41°F for an additional 90 days) stratification
recommended. Vegetatively propagated by stem cuttings or dormant rhizome
fragments. (Rook, 2002); hardwood cuttings easily establish (Leigh, 1999).
Soil or medium requirements
(inoculum necessary?)
In standard potting mix. (Rose et al., 1998)
Installation form (form,
potential for successful outcomes, cost)
6”-18”, 2-gallon. (4th Corners Nurseries, 2003)
Recommended planting density
Per acre=1200 (min.) to 4800(max.) (VegSpec, 2003)
Care requirements after
installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Adequate soil moisture on loam or clay-loam, nitrogen
demanding. (Rook, 2002)
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
2-10 ft. (Leigh, 1999)
Sources cited
1) Fourth Corner Nurseries. www.4th-corner-nurseries.com;
2) Leigh, Michael. Grow Your Own Native Landscape. Native
Plant Salvage Project,
3) Pojar, Jim and Andy MacKinnon. Plants of the
4) Rook, Earl. Plants of the North. http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/flora.html.
5) Rose, Robin, Caryn Chachulski, and Diane Haase.
Propagation of Pacific Norhtwest Native Plants.
6) VegSpec. Phil Smith, Project Manager. http://ironwood.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/Netdynamics/Vegspec/pages/HomeVegspec.htm,
USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Data compiled by (student
name and date)
Scott Olmsted; 040703