Rubus schmidelioides

A. Cunn.

Tataramoa, Bush lawyer

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 1,466 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

Summary

Rubus schmidelioides, commonly called bush lawyer or white leaved lawyer, is a climbing plant species found commonly in New Zealand. The Māori names are tātarāmoa and akatātarāmoa. Typically found in scrub and forest, the plant's hooked branches allow it to climb across the ground and into shrubs and trees. R.schmidelioides fruit are yellow to orange.

Description

A vine. It has many small thorns. The stems are thin and wiry. The leaves have white hairs underneath. Plants are separately male and female. Fruit are black.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. The sap is also edible.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

New Zealand*,

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 at least in the milder parts of the country. The plant is potentially very rampant. 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. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required. 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 in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame, then plant 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 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.

DEADLY

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Walter Siegmund (talk)

Safe

Tataramoa

Rubus schmidelioides

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

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

References (3)

Ann. Nat. Hist. 3:245. 1839
Crowe, A., 1997, A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin. p 16
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/