Ryan's favorite native berry is Rubus Ursinus
Ryan Goretta of Sherwood, OR, is the man you want to be lost in the American northwest woods with.
You may be lost, but you’ll never be hungry. Ryan is the force behind West Coast Natives.
The company focuses on educating science teachers, school children and the rest of the population about edible plants and their health benefits, both for us and for our planet.
Here are Ryan’s top 10 picks for the best edible plants in his neck of the woods.
-
Evergreen Huckleberry. Vaccinium ovatum – Tart to sweet makes great pancakes, muffins and jams
-
Red Huckleberry. Vaccinium parvifolium – Tart great to eat by the handful fresh off the plant
-
Oval Leafed Blueberry. Vaccinuim ovalifolium – Sweet to tart taste, like a raisin when dry
-
Black Huckleberry. Vaccinium membranaceum – Very tasty for all uses
-
Western Serviceberry is good when fully ripe. It has a woody taste, and is best in jams or preserves
Western Serviceberry. Amelanchier alnifolia – Good when all the way ripe with a woody taste best in jams or preserves
-
Salmonberry. Rubus spectabilis – Slightly watery need to be eaten right off the plant they don’t age well, some people love them other could leave them
-
Thimbleberry. Rubus parviflorus – Like a velvety raspberry good dried and fresh
-
Trailing Blackberry. Rubus ursinus – The only native blackberry to Oregon and a favorite among most people. Good for all uses and my favorite
-
Black Raspberry. Rubus leucodermis – Great for jellies and packed with antioxidants almost 300 more times than a blueberry
-
Salal. Galtheria shallon – Not usually noted as a sought after berry but if it’s collected at the right time it’s a very good berry fresh and dried
