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: Raspberry

General Information

Rubus idaeus is a deciduous shrub producing each year a loose cluster of biennial stem up to 200cm tall from a woody rootstock, 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
This plant produces one of the most popular temperate fruits - the raspberry. It is often harvested from the wild, is widely grown in gardens and is also widely grown on a commercial scale. The plant also has a wide variety of medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Spain, east through northern Eurasia to the Russian Far East and China, through southeast Europe to Turkey and the Caucasus

Habitat

Moist neglected land, hedgerows and woodland edges[, , ]. Forests and forest stands in the steppe, forest edges, felled areas, forest meadows, inundated forests, riverbanks, ravines, gullies[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a good deep well-drained loamy soil on the acid side[, ]. Dislikes very heavy soils[, ], light soils[] and alkaline soils[]. Prefers an open position but tolerates some shade[]. Plants crop less well when grown in the shade of trees though they do well in the open on a north-facing slope[]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5[].
Raspberries are frequently cultivated in temperate regions of the world, both in the garden and commercially, for their edible fruit. There are many named varieties able to supply fresh fruit from mid-summer to the autumn[, ]. High costs of picking the fruit means that little is actually sold fresh, most of the commercially cultivated crops either being used for preserves or grown for the 'Pick Your Own' trade[].
All the cultivars of raspberry are self-fertile[].
It is best not to grow raspberries near blackberries or potatoes[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Aromatic and delicious when eaten out of hand, the fruit is also used in pies, preserves etc[, ]. The fruit can vary in colour - usually red in colour, it can range from white through to amber and is 5 - 20mm in diameter[].

Root - cooked. The root, which should be neither too young nor too old, requires a lot of boiling[].

Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw or cooked like asparagus[]. They are harvested as they emerge through the ground in the spring and whilst they are still tender.

A herb tea is made from the dried leaves[, , ]. Another report says that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

Antiemetic[, ].
The leaves and roots are anti-inflammatory, astringent, decongestant, ophthalmic, oxytocic and stimulant[, , , , ]. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, as a tonic for the uterus to strengthen pregnant women, and as an aid in childbirth[, , ]. The tea has also been shown as effective in relieving painful menstrual cramps[]. The active ingredients both stimulate and relax the uterus[]. They can be used during the last three months of pregnancy and during childbirth, but should not be used earlier[].
Externally, the leaves and roots are used as a gargle to treat tonsillitis and mouth inflammations, as a poultice and wash to treat sores, conjunctivitis, minor wounds, burns and varicose ulcers[, ].
The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[].

The fruit is antiscorbutic and diuretic[]. Fresh raspberry juice, mixed with a little honey, makes an excellent refrigerant beverage to be taken in the heat of a fever[]. Made into a syrup, it is said to have a beneficial effect on the heart[].

Other Uses

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].

A fibre obtained from the stems is used in making paper[]. The stems are harvested in the summer after the fruit has been eaten, the leaves are removed and the stems are steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then hand beaten with mallets or ball milled for 3 hours. The paper is light brown in colour[].

A decongestant face-mask made from the fruit is used cosmetically to soothe reddened skin[].

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[].