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:

General Information

Rubus bifrons is a deciduous shrub, producing each year a cluster of prickly, arching to creeping, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the stems can be 100 - 500cm long[]. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth; forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is cultivated as an ornamental in parts of N. America, where it can be used as a ground cover[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in southeastern N. America and become established in the wild.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe.

Habitat

Woodland edges, dry or mixed woods, open areas, often disturbed, roadsides, moist soil; at elevations up to 1,200 metres in N. America[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Apomictic
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
According to the Flora Europaea this species is native to Britain, but it is not in The Flora of the British Isles[, ].
The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The black, globose to subcylindrical fruit is up to 20mm long[, ].The fruit is possibly eaten[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a ground cover[].

Other Uses

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.
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[].