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: Molucca Raspberry

General Information

Rubus sieboldii is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of prickly, biennial stems from a 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 is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is occasionally cultivated as a fruit crop.
The plant is cultivated as a fruit crop in Hawaii, where it has escaped from cultivation and become sparingly naturalized. It can be hard to eradicate - any piece of root left in the ground can resprout to produce a new plant[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central and southern Japan.

Habitat

Thickets and cut-over areas in low mountains and hills[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
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[]. Red[]. A sweet flavour[].

Medicinal

The leaves contain the novel anti-inflammatory triterpenoids, tormentic acid and euscaphic acid[].

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[].