General Details
Dakota Name:
Takaƞhech hu
Scientific Name:
Rubus idaeus
Alternate Names:
American red raspberry, raspberry, grayleaf red raspberry, wild red raspberry
Height:
Up to 4-1/2 feet
Flowers:
White to greenish white, dropping, single or in small grapelike clusters
Fruit:
A red raspberry, rounded, 3/4 to 7/8 inches long and broad, easily detach when ripe. Matures between July
through September.
Habitat:
Open woods, woodland edges, shores of lakes, meadows, and along roads and rail lines. Tolerates moist to dry soil and part-shade to full sun.
Plant Characteristics
A native, deciduous shrub with biennial stems with stiff bristles. The leaves are feather-like in construction, with 3-5 leaflets and a dark green upper surface with little hair to smooth; dense hairs and silvery underneath. Flowers fall off early to allow for the fruit formation.
Dakota Cultural Use
Used as a beverage, the young leaves were steeped to make a tea-like drink. As a dried food, it was saved for winter use, but fruit was also eaten fresh or used to make jam, jelly, pie, and syrup. Seeds were also boiled to get the oil.