PNW Native
Black twinberry shrubs grow up to 15 ft. tall, with opposite oval green leaves up to 6 in. long, flowers are yellow, bell-shaped, and in pairs in leaf axils. (2) Fruits are shiny, black, cupped by maroon bracts, and come in pairs. (3) Black twinberry ranges from Southern Alaska to California. (1)
Black twinberry prefers riparian environments, wetlands, swamps, moist forests, and shade from low to subalpine elevations. (3) Berries are eaten by birds, small mammals, and bears. The shrub provides valuable cover, but is less valuable as a source of browsing. Some ungulates are reported to occasionally graze on the twigs or leaves. Species of butterflies including Gillet’s checkermallow, use the plant as a host for their caterpillars. The flowers serve as a source of nectar for hummingbirds. (1)
Twinberries are unpalatable and are considered poisonous by many local tribes, but the bark and twigs were widely medicinally used (3) as well as the berries and leaves in numerous poultices, infusions, and decoctions aiding in a variety of ailments ranging from infections, sore throats, paralysis, swelling, dandruff, venereal disease, arthritis, to a ceremonial emetic. (1)
The Quileute and Kwakwaka’wakw tribes made a plant dye out of the black twinberry, (3) and used it to stain wood, basketry, and as a face paint. A poultice was applied to sores, and a tonic made of a bark and twig decoction was drunk for general health. (4)
Twinberries are poor graze for livestock and may make them sick. Black twinberry has use in erosion control in streamside environments and moist forest/wetland ecological restoration. They can be used as natural stakes which stabilize soil near streambanks, on moist slopes, and near shoreline. (1)
