Rubus racemosus

Roxb.

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 5 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Rubus racemosus is a species of plant native to India. According to Plants of the World Online as of August 2025, it occurs from the western Himalayas to south India. An alternative view is that it is endemic to the Western Ghats in south India.

Description

A climbing shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. The prickles are curved. The leaves are compound with leaflets along the stalk with one at the end. The leaves are 12 cm long by 8 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The end leaflet is oval and 8 cm long by 6 cm wide. There are a few flowers in a group in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are 1 cm wide. The fruit are round and purple and 1 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Where It Grows

Asia, India,

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 is unlikely to succeed outdoors in any but the mildest areas of the country. It is closely related to R. lasiocarpus. 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 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 or 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.

Production

In south India plants flower ad fruit December to May.

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.

DEADLY

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Walter Siegmund (talk)

Safe

Rubus racemosus

Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.

Rubus racemosus: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.

Also Known As

Mallu pazham

References (3)

Fl. ind. ed. 1832, 2:519. 1832
Nayaham, M. C., et al, 1993, Less Known Edible Fruit - Yielding plants of Nilgiris. Ancient Science of Life. Vol. X11 Nos. 3 & 4, pp 363-376
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/