Rubus nitidioides
W. C. R. Watson
gbif· cc-by
Meise Botanic Garden
gbif· cc-by
Meise Botanic Garden
gbif· cc-by
Meise Botanic Garden
Summary
Rubus nitidioides is a deciduous shrub reaching 1.5 m tall. It flowers in June with hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated flowers. The plant tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, preferring well-drained conditions across mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH ranges. It grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
Rubus nitidioides is a deciduous shrub reaching 1.5 m tall. It flowers in June with hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated flowers. The plant tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, preferring well-drained conditions across mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH ranges. It grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is sweet, not very pippy, and of good quality.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Britain, Europe,
Cultivation
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 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, then plant 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 layer in July and plant out in autumn. Divide in early spring or just before leaf-fall in autumn.
Other Uses
A purple to dull blue dye can be 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 nitidioides
Rubus nitidioides
Meise Botanic Garden
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Rubus nitidioides: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (2)
- Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 8:786. 1929
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
