The Pacific Northwest Berry Book

Title: The Pacific Northwest Berry Book Author: Bob Krumm, James Krumm The Content: This book is part identification guide and part usage guide for common wild berries of the Pacific Northwest. The following berries are covered: Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor), Evergreen Blackberry (Rubus laciniatus), Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), Blackcap (Rubus leucodermis), Oval-leafed Blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium), Black Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium), Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), Bog Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium caespitosum), Alaska Blueberry (Vaccinium alaskaense), Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana), Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata), Pacific Crab Apple (Malus fusca), Red-flowered Currant (Ribes sanguineum), Golden Currant (Ribes aureum), Blue Elderberry (Sambucus caerulea), Coastal Gooseberry (Ribes divaricatum), Whitestem Gooseberry (Ribes inerme), Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum edule), Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens, Mahonia nervosa, and Mahonia aquifolium), Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Rose (Rosa spp.), Salal (Gaultheria shallon), Salmonberry (Rubus spectablilis), Pacific Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), and Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). Each genus is given an introduction, indentification tips, and several recipes for the berries. There are no illustrations. There is a 14 page color plate section that provides a photo for each genus covered in the book. Short sections at the end of the book cover possible uses for each berry, versatile recipes, a blooming and ripening calendar, and a glossary. The Writing: The writing is competent. Personal collection notes are intermixed with information about each plant. Details on the Volume Reviewed: Published by Falcon Publishing. 1998, first edition. Paperback. 135 pages in a medium font. Opinions: This book is hard to find and expensive, but it is probably the best available source for uses of Northwest berries. It is not particularly useful as an identification guide, but if you know one berry from another, it provides recipes for jams, jellies, deserts, and other preserves that I have not found anywhere else.