Common Name:

General Information

Rubus acuminatus is an evergreen shrub producing a cluster of climbing or scrambling, prickly stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can climb up to 8 metres into the surrounding vegetation[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Vietnam

Habitat

Moist, shady places in the forest, growing into the lower canopy[]. Thickets, bamboo thickets, sparsely forested slopes, stream sides, roadsides; at elevations from 1,000 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus acuminatus is found at moderate elevations in the Himalayas where it experiences frost and snow. It has proved to be hardy growing outdoors in southern England (hardyness zone 7).
Species in this genus are generally easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Plants sometimes flower in the winter as well as in the summer.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The flavour is not that good.

Medicinal

The juice of the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion[].

Other Uses

None known

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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].