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: Bush Lawyer

General Information

Rubus australis is an evergreen shrub with two types of stem - juvenile stems are unarmed and do not flower, they creep over the forest floor, rooting at intervals. Adult stems are produced from the leaf nodes - these are prickly, they can be 10 metres or more long and can sometimes reach to the tops of tall trees in its native habitat[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands

Habitat

Lowland to montane forest[]. Forest fringes[]. When growing in an open sunny position it forms a flowerless and leafless plant[]. Usually in forest but also found in scrub, and often on the margins of, or within wetlands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus australis tolerates light frosts and succeeds outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone[, ].
Easily grown in a good well-drained but moist loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
The flowers have a sweet perfume[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Juicy[]. Insipid[]. The yellow to orange-red fruits have an outstanding flavour[]. The fruit is around 9mm in diameter[].

The sap can be extracted and used as a drink[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is taken for treating severe abdominal pain (acting as a strong laxative)[].
The root bark is astringent. It is valuable when used as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery[].

An infusion of the root, combined with Phormium tenax root and Typha orientalis rhizome is used as a cleansing remedy to assist in the removal of the placenta[].

An infusion of the leaves is taken in small doses to relieve congestion in the chest, hard cough and even sore throat[]. The leaves are chewed, then swallowed, to ease the pain of stomache ache[].
A decoction of the leaves, combined with flaxroot (?Phormium tenax), is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[]. Combined with Litsea calicaris and Fuchsia excorticate, it is used as a vapour bath after childbirth in order to promote lochial discharge[].

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[].