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 wallichianus is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of scrambling, sparsely-prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow 100 - 200cm tall[]. The stems only produce leaves in their first year of growth, forming flower and leaf-bearing branches in their second year and dying after fruiting.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam

Habitat

Thickets on slopes, mixed forests, montane valleys, ravines, stream sides, cliffs; at elevations from 300 - 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rubus wallichianus is native to the warm temperate to subtropical regions of southern China and the Himalayas, growing in hardiness zones 8 - 10.
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. A raspberry-type fruit. The golden to reddish-yellow, globose fruit is 5 - 8mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The aerial parts of the plant are used to treat burns[].

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[].