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 hirsutus is a deciduous shrub producing a cluster of erect, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow 100 - 200cm tall[]. 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 and a medicine. It has been cultivated as a fruit crop in China since 1987, when it was said to have a high economic value, and that there were vast reserves of the plant[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Thickets and waste ground in lowland and low mountains of C. and S. Japan[]. Slopes, roadsides, waste places, thickets and forested slopes; at elevations from 900 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are generally easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc[, , , ]. The subglobose fruit varies in size from 10 - 20mm in diameter[]. The fruits are particularly valuable for pure or mixed juices[].

Medicinal

The juice of the bruised leaves is used in the treatment of ophthalmia[].

The fruit is used to promote fertility, strengthen virility etc[].

The whole plant, including the roots, is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of conditions such as inflammation, fevers and to invigorate the blood circulation[].

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[].