Rubus australis

Forst. f.

Tataramoa, Bush lawyer

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit, Sap 878 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

Rubus australis, commonly called swamp lawyer, is a climbing plant species found in New Zealand. Its hooked branches allow it to climb across the ground and into shrubs and trees. R. australis produces yellow- to red-coloured fruit, while small white flowers are produced between October and November. The Māori language name of the plant is tātarāmoa.

Description

An evergreen climbing shrub hardy to UK zone 9, with year-round foliage and hermaphrodite flowers blooming June to July. Insect-pollinated. Tolerates light, medium, and heavy well-drained soils in mildly acid to basic pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun with moist soil.

Edible Uses

The juicy yellow fruits have an outstanding flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked. The sap can also be extracted and used as a drink.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

New Zealand*,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain but it tolerates light frosts and succeeds outdoors in the mildest parts of the country. The flowers have a sweet perfume. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs one month of stratification at around 3°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings once large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame before planting out into permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August in a frame. Tip layering in July, planting out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in autumn.

Other Uses

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit. This plant is noted for its scent.

Notes

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Walter Siegmund (talk)

Safe

Tataramoa

Rubus australis

Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.

Tataramoa: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.

References (4)

Crowe, A., 1997, A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin. p 16
Fl. ins. austr. 40. 1786
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Skinner, G. & Brown, C., 1981, Simply Living. A gatherer's guide to New Zealand's fields, forests and shores. Reed. p 35