Thimbleberry Plant : Exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula
A Gem in the Woods
It’s undeniable that Michigan is full of breathtaking beauty wherever you go in the large state. Every region has its own unique look and experience and the Upper Peninsula is no different. Part of the natural beauty of the region is the number of edible wild plants that can be found for foraging. From mushrooms to flowers, to weeds, a person can find an entire meal simply by foraging and hunting in the woods. One premium and highly-sought-after find is the thimbleberry plant. While the plant is native to the North American West Coast, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the hub for thimbleberry plant products in the Midwest. It tends to be found in cooler, moist areas throughout North America, as well as other places around the world, including Europe, Japan, and Russia.
Adventure, Health, and Delicacy- Wrapped in One!
The thimbleberry plant belongs to the Rubus genus, which is the same genus as raspberries and blackberries. Its fruit resembles a raspberry but has its own unique sweet and tart taste. The thimbleberry is smaller and softer than a raspberry, ripens to a bright red color, and has large green maple leaf shaped leaves. Like most wild plants, It’s incredibly nutritious. Being a source of vitamins A and C, plus potassium, calcium, and iron, it is an immune system booster. Various parts of the thimbleberry plant are also used for medicinal purposes, such as treating nausea, diarrhea, aiding in increasing appetite, and having astringent properties.
Not only are the fruits an adventure to forage and are nutritious and healing, they’re also great for your sweet tooth- that is, if they're not first plain snacked on while being foraged! From jams and jellies to pies and fruit leather, even to drinks and teas, thimbleberries are used to create a large variety of treats which can be found throughout stores in Northern Michigan- the most famous product being a jar of delicious, sweet jam that can reach to over $20! The high price is due to the fact that thimbleberries are generally difficult to harvest due to factors, such as abundance and fragility. Therefore, if you get your hands on a jar of jam, you know you have yourself something special!
The Unique Diversity of Michigan
Northern Nail Polish’s nail polish products are all about highlighting the “Michigan” experience- from the cars and Motown to the sandy beaches along the Great Lakes, to foraging for wild edible plants in the dense forests “up north.” Each nail polish is lovingly created to capture the unique beauty of Michigan, while also being safe and toxin-free. The line of products surely expresses the diversity and spectrum of experiences throughout this vast state we call home.
While not a treat to taste, the Thimbleberry Jam nail polish by Northern Nail Polish is definitely a treat to look at! The shimmering ruby red color represents the rare, expensive, and curiosity-piquing Thimbleberry plant, certainly giving you a story to tell while you wow others with this eye-catching shade!
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Written by Maddy