Rubus argutus
| Rubus argutus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 8' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rubus argutus (common name: highbush blackberry)
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, July/August in a frame[1].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[1].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. This species is cultivated for its edible fruit in N. America[[2][3]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[4][5][1].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Virginia.
Habitat: Dry or moist thickets and woodland margins[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[7][2][3][8]. Variable in size and quality but generally with rather large and juicy drupelets[9]. The pulpy fruit is up to 25mm long[10].
Medicinal: The roots are antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, astringent, stimulant and tonic[8]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of venereal disease and as a wash in the treatment of piles[8].
An infusion of the roots or leaves can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea and rheumatism[8].
Usage: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brouk, Bohuslav. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, 1975.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.