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 macilentus is an evergreen shrub producing each year a cluster of prickly, arching to prostrate stems 100 - 200cm tall from a woody rootstock[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan)

Habitat

Damp places in forested areas; at elevations from 1,800 - 2,800 metres in Nepal[]. Slopes, roadsides, near water courses, forest margins; at elevations from 900 - 3,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus macilentus is native to the Himalayan region of China and the Indian subcontinent. Growing at elevations up to 3,300 metres, the plant experiences frosts and winter snow, but is unlikely to be winter hardy in the colder regions of the temperate zone.
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[, , ]. The orange to red, subglobose fruit develops within the calyx[], thus making it less susceptible to insect predation[].

Medicinal

None known

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[].