The name Rubus flagelliformis (which is a rather appropriate name considering the habit of the plant) has often been wrongly applied to this species[].
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 flagelliflorus is an evergreen shrub producing each year a cluster of scrambling or creeping, prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the slender, graceful stems can grow up to 180cm tall into any surrounding vegetation, otherwise it creeps along the ground[, ]. 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. An elegant plant, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China (Fujian, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan).

Habitat

Waste places on hills, rock cliffs, slopes and valleys; at elevations from 900 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus flagelliflorus is found in the warmer regions of the temperate zone and into the subtropics of central and southern China. It can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling to around -10°c[[, , ].
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Requires a shady position[].
A scrambling climbing plant, supporting itself by means of hooked prickles[].
The leaves often put on a marbled appearance in the shade[].
Any pruning is best carried out in spring and consists of cutting out some of the old and dead growth from the base[]..
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The semi-globose, black fruit is about 12mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant makes an attactive ground cover, though it can easily climb over any nearby vegetation.

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[].