Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)

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Wow, that species name is a mouthful!

Wineberries are a type of raspberry.

They're sometimes called wine raspberries.

Native to Japan, China and Korea, wineberries are considered an invasive species in parts of the US where they often grow too readily and displace other plants in the wild.

But the fact remains they are a choice wild edible!

Wineberries grow on a thorny shrub.

The whole plant is covered with reddish hairs and tiny sharp spines. 

You'll see the red hairs on the stems and also on the calyx that encloses the developing berry.

The compound leaves are in groups of three and are sort of heart-shaped. The leaf edges are toothed.

You may notice that the berry has a hollow cuplike shape.

 Its yellow core was left behind on the plant.

And the taste?  In my opinion, wineberries are better tasting than their cultivated counterparts.  

And I've heard SO many people echo this sentiment !

Wineberries are a familiar sight along wooded trails, field edges and roads.

They even grow in partly shaded areas.

Wineberry season is not all that long, with a window of only a few weeks.

 They reach their peak availability in early summer.   

Wineberries and other raspberries are super nutrient-rich, with more antioxidant value than most other fruits.

So, eat em up!!

When you pick wineberries, choose the reddest ones.  

And if you're lucky and find yourself with an abundance, they freeze really well!