thimbleberry Rosaceae Rubus parviflorus Nutt. symbol: RUPA Leaf: Simple, alternate, deciduous, large (3 to 10 inches in diameter) and palmately lobed (3 to 5 lobes); margins serrate, dark green and velvety on both surfaces (glandular hairs). Flower: Perfect, complete; large (about 1 inch in diameter), broad white petals with a texture like crinkled tissue paper, occur terminally, either singly or in small clusters, appearing in early summer. Fruit: Red raspberries (aggregate of drupelets) in the shape of a flattened dome, sparse, long hairs; edible, but taste varies. Pull free from the torus (central core), leaving a thimble-like appearance. Twig: New stems are green and glandular; older stems have bark that is thin, tan, and papery. Unarmed. Bark: Form: An erect, spindly shrub that commonly grows to 6 feet tall, often forms thickets. Looks like: purple flowering raspberry Additional Range Information: Rubus parviflorus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting thimbleberry. More: Fall Color External Links: USDAFS Additional Silvics USDA Plants Database © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson