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 xanthocarpus is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant with more or less woody stems; it can grow 15 - 50cm tall. It spreads by means of rhizomes and can form a large mat of growth[],
The fruit is of good quality and the plant is often harvested from the wild for use as a food - and sometimes also as a medicine. The plant is occasionally cultivated as a fruit crop in gardens, and is also grown as an ornamental ground cover[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China (Anhui, Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan)

Habitat

Stony places[]. Roadsides, slopes, forests and rocky ravines; at elevations from 600 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Occasionally cultivated for its yellow fruits[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. It is also used for making jams, jelly and wine[]. Raspberry flavoured[]. The orange-yellow, compressed-globose fruit is about 10 - 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The whole young plant is used in medicine[]. The fruits, seeds, roots and leaves have anticancer and antibacterial properties[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as a ground cover[].

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[].