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: Ceylon Raspberry

General Information

Rubus niveus is a deciduous shrub producing a cluster of erect to arching, often scrambling, prickly biennial stems from 100 - 300cm long. 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, A very spiny plant, it often scrambles into other plants, supporting itself by means of its prickly stems.
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and is also used as a medicine. The plant is occasionally cultivated for this fruit in Asia, and has been introduced as a fruit crop to Florida and Puerto Rico[, ].
Rubus niveus is a highly invasive plant that was introduced around the world through the horticultural trade for its production of sweet tasting fruit and as an ornamental due to the striking red-purple colour of its stems. Nevertheless, cultivated crops were abandoned due to the formation of dense, spiny thickets and many plants escaped from cultivation aided by the distribution of seed by birds. Outside of cultivation, it can outcompete native vegetation, decrease biodiversity and threaten rare endemic species. Rubus niveus has been described as the most invasive weed species on the Galapagos Archipelago and has been declared a noxious weed in the state of Hawaii[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - Afghanistan, central and southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Habitat

Forests and forest clearings at elevations from 1,700 - 2,300 metres in Kashmir[, ]. Thickets on slopes, sparse forests, montane valleys, streamsides and flood plains at elevations of 500 - 2,800 metres in China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects, Apomixis
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus niveus grows in subtropical or cool tropical climates with a well-distributed medium to high rainfall[]. In general this species is not very tolerant of frost[], though one report says that selected provenances can succeed outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone[]..
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. Plants are intolerant of drought[]. Another report says that the plants are highly tolerant of dryness[].
Seedling plants can commence bearing fruit when about 1 - 2 years old[].
Average annual yields from a bush covering 2.5m² in the Himalayas are 657g[].
There is at least one named variety. 'Mysore' is a form suitable for sub-tropical areas, it has mild but nice flavoured fruit with small seeds[].
In warm climates, the plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[, , ]. The small fruit is up to 12mm in diameter[], it is juicy with a sweet rich black-raspberry flavour[, ]. Of excellent desert quality, the fruit is very soft and needs to be consumed within 24 hours of being picked otherwise it will start to decay[]. The fruit contains about 7.8% sugars, 0.13% protein, 0.77% ash[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used as a tonic for older people[].

The fruits and the roots are used in the treatment of dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has been used to create stock-proof hedges[].
The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[].

Other Uses

The plant is used in raspberry breeding programmes because of its vitality and resistance to leaf spot disease[].

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[].