Native Salmonberries growing by the river alongside their relatives wild rose and Raspberry. 

Yetwánaý is the Skwxwú7mesh name for the salmonberry plant.

Salmonberry also known as Rubus spectablilis is found from southern Alaska to the northern California coast, mainly on the western slope of the Cascades and throughout British colombias coast, streambanks and swamps. 

The salmonberry plant is considered a riparian species, meaning its root system helps to prevent soil erosion and invasive species from proliferating. It also can thrive during environmental changes and wildfires.

A sweet, slightly sour and tasty wild berry which is one of the earliest berries to ripen from May till July. The leaves, flowers, bark and fruit are used as medicine.

The salmonberry plant has nourished Indigenous communities of the Pacific Northwest coast for countless generations. Nonhuman kin, including songbirds, small mammals, and bears, rely on the Salmonberry plant. Nutritionally the berries contain notable qualities of Vitamin A, C and B-6. 

 

THERAPUTICS 

The leaves have an astringent, moistening and cooling quality. They are considered a hemostatic, meaning they help reduce blood loss internally and externally by preserving blood fluidity and toning blood vessels. They are valuable as a first-aid remedy to seal wounds topically when applied as a poultice. The digestive system can benefit from the leaves in treating diarrhea, digestive tract bleeding, mouth ulcers, sensitive gums and gingivitis.

As a gentle uterine tonic, Salmonberry leaves have been used for hundreds of years to prepare pregnant women for labour during the latter part of the second and throughout the third trimester by strengthening and toning uterine tissue. 

They also have a long tradition of use during labour: assisting contractions and checking hemorrhages. Useful in cases of uterine prolapse. 

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These beauties were left to nourish native wildlife.