Rubus kuntzeanus
Hemsl.
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary
A deciduous shrub reaching 3 m (9ft 10in) tall. Hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers in August with seeds ripening in September. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with a preference for well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Suitable for semi-shade or full sun in moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub reaching 3 m (9ft 10in) tall. Hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers in August with seeds ripening in September. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with a preference for well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Suitable for semi-shade or full sun in moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and has a good flavour. It is orange-red in colour and about 20mm in diameter.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, China,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Closely related to R. innominatus. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. The stems have very few prickles. 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 requires one month stratification at about 3°c and should be sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Division is possible 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)
Rubus kuntzeanus
Rubus kuntzeanus
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Rubus kuntzeanus: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
Synonyms
References (2)
- F. B. Forbes & W. B. Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23:232. 1887
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
