Until 2011, this taxon was known as Rubus lutescens Franch. It was then found that this name was illegitimate because the name had been used previously. Wang, H.-C. et al. 2013. Nomenclatural changes in Rubus (Rosaceae) mostly from China (Phytotaxa) 114:58-60.
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 maershanensis is a perennial plant producing upright, more or less solitary stems 10 - 50cm tall from an underground rhizome. Flower bearing branchlets arise from the rhizome[]
The plant is almost certainly harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China (Sichuan, eastern Xizang, Yunnan)

Habitat

Forest margins on slopes, mixed forests, stony places; at elevations from 2,500 - 4,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	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. We have no specific information for this species, but Rubus fruits are generally edible and this wild species is of a good size[]. The yellowish to red, globose fruit is around 14 - 20mm in diameter[].

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.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].