Balance - The Salmonberry
 Salmonberry amongst the alders
The Salmonberry
Wispy tendrils of pink Springing forth in April Orange orbs dotting green Tasty, tang of the autumn forest Cousin to the wild raspberry and blackberries in the woods, the salmonberries grow in the company of alders in the Northwest canopy. Their dark green, tri-shaped leaves have serrations along the edges. Their stems have softer bristles. They branch out like the wild roses, to which family they belong. Given the right combinations of moisture, wetlands and sun, the salmonberries may form thickets as impenetrable as the blackberries. Their magenta, small flowers pop in the spring, about April, but may appear all summer long depending on the shade cover. Their true glory arrives in the summer through early fall. Then, the hard greenish berries become yellow to bright orange. Their vibrant color advertises them as a food source to hikers, birds and other animals foraging for a quick snack. Salmonberries never seem to achieve the sweetness or distinctive flavor of a raspberry or blackberry, but they were prized by the Native Americans. Not only did they add a fruit to their diets, their bright orange color coincided with the arrival of many of the salmon runs along the creeks and rivers. “The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” Ralph Waldo Emerson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_spectabilis http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=34 http://pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=280 |
Balance -Balance on the beam of life is pivotal to achieving a sense of harmony and contentment. It implies the right amount of give and take. How much is too much? Where lie the boundaries? At what point is a measure of laughter needed to bring levity to a situation? How does one shift and adjust with the ebb and flow of positive and negative?
Some plants and animals in nature seem to know instinctively what they need to survive and flourish. The salmonberry in the Northwest woods give abundantly in beauty and food for birds and foraging animals. In turn, it takes its space usually near an outgrowth of alder trees, enjoying early spring sun while providing an understory that helps anchor them from heavy rains and winds. “There’s no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves”Frank Herbert |
