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Rubus stellatus

Smith

Arctic raspberry, Nagoon berry

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Andy Fyon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) IanLJones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) IanLJones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Perennial herb reaching 0.3 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils preferring well-drained conditions in mildly acid to basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun, preferring moist soil. Extremely hardy to UK zone 1.

Description

Perennial herb reaching 0.3 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils preferring well-drained conditions in mildly acid to basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun, preferring moist soil. Extremely hardy to UK zone 1.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. The are also made into cakes, jams and jellies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in Arctic regions. It grows in wet coastal places.

Where It Grows

Alaska, North America, Scandinavia, USA,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Very closely related to R. arcticus and considered to be no more than a form of that species by many botanists. This plant is smaller than R. arcticus and has smaller fruits.

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. Division can be done 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.

DEADLY

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Walter Siegmund (talk)

Safe

Arctic raspberry

Rubus stellatus

(c) Andy Fyon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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

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

References (5)

  • Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 210
  • Heller, C. A., 1962, Wild Edible and Poisonous Plants of Alaska. Univ. of Alaska Extension Service. p 44
  • Jennings, D.L., 1979, Raspberries and blackberries, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 254
  • Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
  • Pl. icon. ined. 3: t. 64. 1791

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