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: Thimbleberry

General Information

Rubus odoratus is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of erect, unarmed stems 100 - 200cm tall from a suckering, 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. The plant can spread at the roots to form thickets.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental for its relatively large flowers and magenta petals and its edible fruits that are somewhat dry and insipid[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Quebec and New Brunswick, south to Alabama and Georgia

Habitat

Moist thickets and woodland borders[]. Moist shady sites in deciduous forests, margins of woods, rocky slopes, wooded talus, stream banks, roadsides; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus odoratus is hardy to about -30°c[]. Although very winter hardy, it requires warm to hot summers for it to fruit well and often crops poorly in cool summer regions[].
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. Grows well in a sandy soil but does not like clay[]. Prefers a semi-shaded position, where it flowers better and for longer[]. Does well in a woodland garden though it is less likely to fruit well in such a position.
A very ornamental plant[].
The glandular hairs on the stems have a powerful resinous scent somewhat like cedarwood[].
A vigorous suckering shrub, it has perennial stems without prickles[]. Dividing the plant every few years helps to maintain vigour[].
Pruning the plant entails removing all two-year-old stems in the autumn, after they have flowered[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
The species is distinguished from other flowering raspberries by its erect, unarmed stems, simple leaves, large flowers, magenta petals, glabrous, clavate styles, and purple stipitate glands densely covering most plant parts[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Somewhat tart and dry[], it is usually cooked and used in pies, jellies, preserves etc[]. The fruit can be dried for later use[]. The pale to dark red, hemispherical fruits are around 7 - 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves are highly astringent[]. They are used in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea[]. An infusion is used to treat labour pains[].
The leaves have been used as a wash for old and foul sores, boils etc[].

A decoction or infusion of the branches has been used to settle the stomach[].

A decoction of the leaves and stems has been used to treat kidney complaints[].

The root is astringent. A decoction of the root or the root bark has been used as a treatment for diarrhoea and colds[]. The root has been used in the treatment of toothaches[].

The berries have been used as a diuretic[].

An infusion of the plant has been used for treating miscarriage[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are very vigorous and can be grown as a tall ground cover for large areas[].

Other Uses

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

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification, is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as early as possible in the year in a cold frame and stratify for a month at 3°c if sowing later than late winter. 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.
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring.