Closely related to Rubus deliciosus[].

Common Name:

General Information

Rubus trilobus is a deciduous shrub producing a cluster of unarmed, erect to straggling stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow 50 - 150cm tall, exceptionally to 500cm when growing through and supported by other vegetation[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is occasionally planted as an ornamental in gardens, valued especially for its large, showy flowers[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

C. America - Guatemala, southern Mexico.

Habitat

Moist or wet, mixed or coniferous, mountain forest, frequently in forest of oak, Cupressus, or Abies, sometimes on white-sand slopes, at elevations from 2,000 0 4,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus trilobus is a surprisingly hardy plant considering its native range. It can tolerate occasional temperatures falling as low as -15°c.
Species in this genus are generally easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet, with a distinctly acidulous flavour[]. The black-purple, hemispherical fruit is about 15mm wide[].

Medicinal

None known

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[].