Trailing Blackberry

What it looks like

Trailing Blackberry is a vine that "trails" along the ground and grows to 5 metres long. The thin, flat branches have curved thorns. The dark green leaves have jagged edges and turn red in the fall before they drop off. Its flowers are white to light pink and the berries are black when ripe, edible and sweet. Trailing blackberry occurs in many locations throughout he Kwakwaka'wakw territories.

What it was used for

The fruits are eaten fresh or dried in cakes for later use. The vines and roots were often boiled with thimbleberry leaves to make a medicine that was used to help relieve vomiting and spitting up blood. The vines were also used in the treatment of diarrhea. The fruit is said to represent the dog salmon because the trailing blackberries are the last fruit to ripen and the dog salmon is the last salmon species to arrive to spawn.