Rubus tephrodes

Hance

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 133 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

A deciduous shrub reaching 3.5 meters tall with hermaphroditic flowers. Blooms June to August with seeds ripening August to October. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Adapts to mildly acidic through mildly alkaline soils. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

A shrub. It grows 3-4 m tall. There are a few curved prickles. The leaves are simple and 5-11 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. There are many flowers in a group and the flowers are 1 cm across. The petals are white. The fruit are aggregate and purplish black. They are 1-1.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

The purplish-black fruit, which measures 10–15mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves and root are astringent and styptic, and stimulate the circulation. A decoction of the leaves and roots is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, myalgia, and related conditions.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in mountain valleys below 1,500 m in southern China.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Taiwan,

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 could succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The Latin name might be mis-spelt - another report says that it is R. tephrodes. 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 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August and rooted 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 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

Rubus tephrodes

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

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

References (3)

Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 9
J. Bot. 12:260. 1874
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/