Rubus platyphyllus
K. Koch
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Wikimedia Commons - Tracey Slotta @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
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Summary
Source: WikipediaA deciduous shrub with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH levels. Thrives in semi-shade to full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH levels. Thrives 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, Europe, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. This species is very closely related to, and perhaps part of, R. hirtus. 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 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 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. Division can be done 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 platyphyllus
Rubus platyphyllus
Wikimedia Commons - Tracey Slotta @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Rubus platyphyllus: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (1)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
