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: Mauritius Raspberry

General Information

Rubus rosifolius is an evergreen shrub producing a cluster of erect to arching or scrambling, prickly, biennial woody stems about 2 metres or moe tall from a woody rootstock. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. Selected forms with good quality fruits have been developed, and these are cultivated in several areas of the tropics and subtropics, including India, Japan, Java, the Philippines, southern parts of Russia (with adjacent countries), South Africa and Brazil[]. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Rubus rosifolius has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in many areas of the warm temperate to tropical zones. It can invade the understory of moist and montane forests, especially areas in natural and artificial openings in primary and secondary forests. It is listed as invasive in Brazil, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hawaii. In St. Lucia and Hawaii, it can completely cover wet open areas and exclude native species. In Brazil, this species invades principally wet and sunny habitats with more than 1,800mm of mean annual precipitation, displacing desirable plants and interfering with passage and use of the land. In Africa, it invades savannah, coastal bush, disturbed grassland, forest margins, roadsides and riverbanks[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northeast India, China, Myanmar, Thailand through southeast Asia to eastern Australia, western Pacific.

Habitat

Forest margins, disturbed areas, landslide-affected land, abandoned fields, pastures, and roadsides[] Hillsides in gullies, rock seams and bases of walls in China[]. Damp eucalyptus forest, rainforest edges, paddocks and roadsides in Australia[]

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus rosifolius is native to the warm temperate regions of northern India and China, moving through the tropics of southeast Asia (often at higher elevations) to Australia and the Pacific. In the temperate zone it will only succeed outdoors in areas with mild winters.
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
In tropical regions, 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 and used in pies, preserves etc[]. A sweet flavour[]. A type of raspberry[], but without any pleasant flavour[]. Insipid[, ]. It is usually cooked[], making good tarts and jams[]. Fruits of cultivated forms are delicious, although the fruits of wild forms are usually insipid and watery[]. The red fruit is up to 20mm in diameter[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , ]. Eaten fresh or cooked as a side dish[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves and the roots are anodyne, astringent, depurative and expectorant[, , ]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].
The leaves are externally applied to itches[].

A decoction of the leafy stems is used in the treatment of fevers[].

A syrup of the fruit is used as a demulcent[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant spreads freely by suckers and tip layering, quickly forming thickets. This makes it useful as a soil stabilizer on vulnerable sites - though given its propensity to invade native habitats, it is best only used for this purpose within its native range[, , ].

Other Uses

Used in breeding programmes as a crossing partner for tropical raspberry cultivars[].

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[].