Latvia’s plant of the year selected / Article

The Latvian Botanical Society has selected the cloudberry, Rubus chamaemorus, as the plant of the year for 2026. The cloudberry is a perennial plant belonging to the rose family, known for its unique golden-yellow fruit.

Cloudberry Characteristics

Cloudberries grow to a height of 5–30 cm and feature long, creeping roots, star-shaped leaves, and white flowers. They bloom from May to June, with fruits initially pink, ripening to a golden yellow in July. The fruit is a juicy aggregate.

Regional Names in Latvia

In Latvia, cloudberries are commonly called lācenes, meaning “bear-berries.” Regional variations include šķomenes and murakas, particularly near Estonia. In the Madona area, they are also known as spradzenes, though this name is also used for Fragaria viridis, a different species.

Habitat and Distribution

Cloudberries are typically found in moss bogs and boggy pine forests, growing alongside sphagnum moss, cranberries, and andromeda. They prefer light, acidic, and nutrient-poor environments and are more prevalent in northern Latvia. The plant is not currently listed among Latvia’s specially protected species.

Threats and Cultivation

Cloudberries are vulnerable to spring frosts and require pollination. While they do not typically grow in gardens in Latvia, there have been attempts to cultivate them in peat bogs.

Locally grown cloudberries are available as a delicacy at markets in July, often at a high price. The Latvian Botanical Society encourages the public to report cloudberry sightings on the portal dabasdati.lv.