A very variable species, it is sometimes treated as three distinct species, viz.:- Rubus arcticus, Rubus acaulis Michx., and Rubus stellatus Sm.[].
The genus Rubus, (especially the blackberries, which are often loosely referred to as Rubus fruticosus agg.) presents some of the most difficult taxonomic problems. This is partly due to the frequency of polyploidy; also to the frequent occurrence of hybridization; and also due to apomixis, where minor differences between plants are preserved because seedlings are genetically identical to their parent. As a result, differences of opinion on the number of species to be recognized from a given region can vary tremendously (for example, a treatment by M. L. Fernald[] in 1950 recognized 205 species for the northern half of the eastern United States plus parts of southeastern Canada, whilst H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist in 1991 recognized only 25)[]. Where possible, a relatively conservative approach is taken here[].

Common Name: Arctic Bramble

General Information

Rubus arcticus is a herbaceous perennial with a long-creeping, branched, woody rhizome. Slender unbranched and unarmed, erect stems that are more or less woody at the bae, are produced at intervals, forming a mat of growth up to 20cm tall[].
The fruit is very commonly harvested, often in large quantities, from the wild for local use and is also sold in local markets. Various attempts made at cultivating the plant have had limited success, though the plant has been successfully used in breeding programmes.
The species is widespread and while it is possibly declining in parts of its range, it is not thought that any global population decline is likely to meet (or be close to meeting) the threshold for Vulnerable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Widespread through the Boreal and cold temperate regions of northern N. America, northern Europe and northern Asia

Habitat

Damp peats or gravels, especially on calcareous soils[]. Moist turfy places in tundra, heathlands, and woodlands, subalpine meadows and alpine herbmats[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus arcticus is a very cold tolerate plant, growing at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere. It can also be grown in milder regions of the temperate zone though, unfortunately, the fruit will often not be produced very prolifically in such a situation.
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[, ]. Grows best in a peaty soil that is moist all year round.
Various attemps to domesticate Rubus arcticus have met with limited success, whilst use in breeding programmes has been more successful, with a number of cultivars having been produced that combine the growth habit of the raspberry with the fruit flavour of Rubus arcticus[].
The plant has also been crossed with Rubus stellatus (now considered to be Rubus arcticus stellatus) to produce the hybrid Rubus × stellarcticus (E.G.K. Larsson) H.E. Weber. Several successful cultivars, known as 'Alaska Berries' have been produced from this[].
This species hybridizes with Rubus pubescens in areas of sympatry[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Very sweet, juicy and palatable with a pineapple-like aroma[, , , ]. Delicious when eaten out of hand, they are also used in making cakes, jams etc[]. The reddish to dark purple, globose fruits are up to 10mm in diameter, rarely larger[].

Flowers - raw. Sweet and delicious[].

The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plant has been used in breeding programmes with the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and Rubus arcticus stellatus[].

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].

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 is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.