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:

General Information

Rubus thibetanus is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of erect, prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow 200 - 300cm tall[, ]. The stems only produce leaves in their first year, producing flower and fruit-bearing branches in their second yea of growth and then dying after fruiting. The plant spreads by means of suckers to form a thicket[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental, valued for its distinct and attractive-looking, blue-purple stems and very handsomely cut foliage[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang).

Habitat

Thickets, forest margins, roadsides, slopes, ravines and dry places; at elevations from 900 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[]. A raspberry-like fruit. The purplish black or dark red fruit is about 8 - 16mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

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.