Rubus barbatus
Fritsch.
Sinjang
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Wikimedia Commons - Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Summary
Source: WikipediaDeciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Suitable for light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade to full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
Deciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Suitable for light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade to full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, India,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This plant was supplied to us as R. barbatus with no indication as to who was the author of the name. Two species have been found that have used this name, R. barbatus. Edgew. ex Rehd. is given as a synonym of R. nepalensis, whilst R. barbatus. Fritsch. is given but without a description. This plant is not R. nepalensis so is assumed to be R. barbatus. Fitsch. 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.
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.
Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Sinjang
Rubus barbatus
Wikimedia Commons - Daderot
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Sinjang: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 532
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Singh, H.B., Arora R.K.,1978, Wild edible Plants of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 71 (As Rubus nutans)
