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: Leafless Bush Lawyer

General Information

Rubus squarrosus is an evergreen shrub with two distinct growth habits. When growing amongst taller vegetation it produces stems that can be 10 metres or more long and scramble into the surrounding vegetation; when growing in the open it is more likely to be of bushy growth with densely interlacing branchlets. The stems can be extremely prickly or unarmed and, when growing in the open, the plant is usually leafless (or nearly so) with the green stems carrying out photosynthesis and flowers seldom produced[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands

Habitat

Lowland to lower montane forest and forest outskirts[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus squarrosus is found through much of New Zealand, growing into the lower montane zone where it can experience snow and frost. It dislikes harsh winters, though, and is only hardy in the milder regions of the temperate zone. It succeeds outdoors in the milder parts of Britain, where it makes a small shrub, though even then it is best grown against a sunny wall[, ]. A plant is growing outdoors in a sheltered position in light woodland at Cambridge Botanical Gardens, it has survived at least one cold winter outdoors there[].
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. When grown in a sunny position this plant does not flower or fruit, it also produces skeletonized leaves in such a position and looks very different from the woodland form[].
This species is closely related to Rubus cissoides[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].
Fruit is seldom formed in Britain[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The red to orange fruits are around 6mm long[, ].

Sap - raw or cooked[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is taken for treating severe abdominal pain (acting as a strong laxative)[].
The root bark is astringent. It is valuable when used as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery[].

An infusion of the root, combined with Phormium tenax root and Typha orientalis rhizome is used as a cleansing remedy to assist in the removal of the placenta[].

An infusion of the leaves is taken in small doses to relieve congestion in the chest, hard cough and even sore throat[]. The leaves are chewed, then swallowed, to ease the pain of stomache ache[].
A decoction of the leaves, combined with flaxroot (?Phormium tenax), is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[]. Combined with Litsea calicaris and Fuchsia excorticate, it is used as a vapour bath after childbirth in order to promote lochial discharge[].

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[].