Page 141 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Arctic Raspberry, Rubus

arcticus (ROSACEAE)

Anneli Salo, CC-BY-SA-3.0

ARCTIC RASPBERRY, Nagoonberry or Arctic Bram- to treat and prevent scurvy.
ble is a low-growing perennial. Its slender spineless HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: The flavor of these
upright stems can reach 4-6 inches (10-15cm) high. succulent berries has been compared to sweet pine-
Nagoonberry often forms sprawling mats across the apple. Once picked, arctic raspberries will not ripen
ground. They are found in arctic, subarctic, and al- further, so harvest them as they reach maturity from
pine zones, occurring around river edges, swamps, July to August. Be sure to dress appropriately for their
boggy woods, and tundra. wet, boggy habitat and bring gloves along to protect
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Plants are in bloom from May your hands from the plant’s thorns. Use a shallow,
to July. Each plant produces 1-3 flowers at the tips wide container to avoid bruising the berries and eat
of its velvety stalks. 1 inch (2.5cm) across flowers them as soon as possible, since they won’t last in the
may be pale pink, lavender, or deep rose, and have fridge for more than a day or two. Arctic raspberries
5 rounded petals and 5 lance-shaped sepals. Berries are best savored fresh on their own, with yogurt, or in
ripen from July to August, are red or purplish, and 0.4 salads. They can be used in jams, juices, baked goods,
inches (1cm) wide. and liqueurs. The plant’s edible flowers are sweet and
can be steeped with nagoonberry leaves and fruits to
LEAF: The foliage is alternate, stipulate, and coarsely
make a soothing tea. Harvest them from May to July
double-toothed at the edges. Leaves grow in a three-
in mid-morning once the dew has evaporated off of
part palmate structure. The middle leaflet is dia-
them.
mond-shaped and typically 2 inches (5cm) long, while
ARCTIC RASPBERRY BAKED OATMEAL: In a large
the 2 outer leaflets are smaller and ovate. Sparse hairs
populate the leaf undersides. In autumn the foliage pan, combine 1 ½ cup rolled oats, 1 tsp. ground ginger,
becomes red. ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ cup roasted and chopped almonds.
In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups milk, ¼ cup honey, 2
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit, flowers
tsp. olive oil, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Add to oat mixture and
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Because of their high vitamin stir. Fold in 1 cup fresh nagoonberries. Bake over a
C content, they are antiscorbutic; they have been used low fire for 20 min, until oats have set.
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