Rubus thyrsanthus
Focke
gbif· cc-by-nc
Colorado State University, Charles Maurer Herbarium (CS-)
gbif· cc0
Conveyor Belt
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary
A deciduous shrub growing to 1.5 meters tall with hermaphroditic insect-pollinated flowers. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Adapts to mildly acidic through mildly alkaline soil pH. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub growing to 1.5 meters tall with hermaphroditic insect-pollinated flowers. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Adapts to mildly acidic through mildly alkaline soil pH. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun and prefers 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
Britain, Europe,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Very closely related to R. candicans. Plants always produce semi-infertile fruits. 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.
Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Rubus thyrsanthus
Rubus thyrsanthus
Colorado State University, Charles Maurer Herbarium (CS-)
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Rubus thyrsanthus: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (2)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Syn. rub. Germ. 168. 1877 - an illegitimate, superfluous name (ICBN Art. 52) which included type of Rubus grabowskii
