Rubus alexeterius

Focke

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

gbif· cc-by-nc-sa

MBG

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Summary

A deciduous shrub reaching 2 m tall. Hermaphrodite flowers bloom April to May, pollinated by insects, with seeds ripening July to August. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.

Description

A shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. It has curved prickles. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and 3-4 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The flowers are in clusters or 3-4. The flowers are 2 cm across and white. The fruit are aggregate and round and yellow. They are 1.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

Yellow fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, measuring 12–15 mm diameter with some fruits reaching 20 mm.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

In the Himalayas it grows between 2,400-2,500 m altitude. In China it grows between 2,000-3,700 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, Nepal, Tibet,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade.

Propagation

Seed requires stratification; sow in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs one month at 3°C, then sow as early as possible in spring. Prick out seedlings when large enough and grow in a cold frame, planting out in late spring. Alternatively, take half-ripe cuttings in July/August, use tip layering in July and plant out in autumn, or divide plants in early spring or before autumn leaf-fall.