Rubus lanatus
Wall. ex Hook. f.
Plains Blackberry, Hisalu
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Summary
Source: WikipediaA deciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils preferring well-drained conditions. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils. Grows in semi-shade or full sun in moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils preferring well-drained conditions. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils. Grows in semi-shade or full sun in moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it is insipid in flavour.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Argentina, Asia, Himalayas, India, Nepal, South America,
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. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame. Tip layering can be done in July, with plants set out in autumn. 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)
Plains Blackberry
Rubus lanatus
Wikimedia Commons - KVDP
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Plains Blackberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (4)
- Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 533
- 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 70
- www.Efloras.org Annotated checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal.
