Rubus laudatus
Berger
Bundy blackberry
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(c) kwillard, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by kwillard
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Daniel J. Layton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel J. Layton
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Daniel J. Layton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel J. Layton
Summary
A deciduous shrub reaching 5 meters tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Hardy to UK zone 4. Grows well in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils that are well-drained. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shaded conditions or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub reaching 5 meters tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Hardy to UK zone 4. Grows well in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils that are well-drained. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shaded conditions or 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
North America, USA,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is a blackberry 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 plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent. 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.
Other Information
It is cultivated.
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)
Bundy blackberry
Rubus laudatus
(c) kwillard, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by kwillard
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Bundy blackberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (2)
- Mansfield's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops p 433
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
