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Rubus x neglectus

Peck

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Iain Walker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Iain Walker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Summary

A deciduous shrub growing to 2 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Not frost tender. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil. Can thrive in semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist conditions.

Description

It is a naturally occurring hybrid of Rubus occidentalis and Rubus idaeus strigosus. It is a shrub 2 m tall.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is suitable for use in pies and preserves.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry or rocky soils.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. A group of natural and artificial hybrids, R. occidentalis x R. idaeus strigosus, they are often cultivated for their edible fruit. There are many named varieties. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. 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 should be stratified for one month at around 3°C and sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame, and plant into permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Note that this is a hybrid species and will not breed true from seed. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August in a frame. Tip layering in July; plant out in autumn. Division 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

Rubus x neglectus

Rubus x neglectus

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

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

Synonyms

Possibly a hybrid, Rubus strigosus x Rubus occidentalis

References (2)

  • Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
  • Rep. Reg. New York State Univ. 22:53. 1869

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