# whitebark raspberry (*Rubus leucodermis*) The whitebark raspberry is a tasty berry plant with sweet fruits that grow on thorny bushes. Kids love to pick and eat these berries during summer adventures in the wild! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![whitebark raspberry](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rubusleucodermis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stickpen, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rubusleucodermis.jpg) ## Appearance The whitebark raspberry has distinctive whitish-blue, waxy stems, especially on new growth, covered in stiff prickles. Its small, five-petaled white flowers develop into shiny, bright red berries, making it visually stand out from greener brambles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Rosaceae - **Genus:** Rubus ## Interesting facts - Its stems often look ghostly white due to a special waxy coating! - This tough plant can pop up quickly in areas after a forest fire or logging! - Unlike many berries, these raspberries practically jump off the stem when ripe! - Whitebark raspberries are related to blackberries, but taste sweeter and less tart. ## Special abilities - **Sunscreen Stems:** The whitebark raspberry has a waxy, white coating on its stems that reduces water loss and protects it from intense sun. - **Thorny Defender:** Whitebark raspberry stems are covered in sharp prickles that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves and berries. - **Berry Scatterer:** Its bright red, juicy berries attract birds and mammals, which eat them and spread the seeds, helping the plant reproduce. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** American black bear (*Ursus americanus*) — eats the nutritious berries - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from flowers - **Eats:** [American red squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-red-squirrel) (*Tamiasciurus hudsonicus*) — eats the berries and seeds - **Shelter:** Dusky Flycatcher (*Empidonax oberholseri*) — builds nests in thorny thickets ## Traits - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before picking and eating berries in nature. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify whitebark raspberry? Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is whitebark raspberry? 100-300 cm ### How wide does whitebark raspberry spread? 100-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on whitebark raspberry? 1-2 cm ### When does whitebark raspberry bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is whitebark raspberry edible? Yes ### Is whitebark raspberry toxic? None ### What is whitebark raspberry's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Nevada City Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nevada-city-downtown-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Drewry Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drewry-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see whitebark raspberry](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/whitebark-raspberry) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Whitebark Raspberry: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/whitebark-raspberry)