Rubus arizonicus

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Rubus arizonicus
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:1'
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Rubus arizonicus (common name: arizona dewberry)

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.

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 could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. There is some confusion over the name, we have used R. arizonicus, but R. arizonensis has also been mentioned. It is possible that these are two different species but we have chosen to put R. arizonensis as a synonym for this species. It requires further investigation. 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[2][3][1].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].

Range: N. America - Arizona.

Habitat: Partial shade by streams.

Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[4][5]. The fruit can be pressed into cakes then dried and stored for later use[5].

Usage: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[6].

A good ground cover plant.

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Also Known As: R. arizonensis. Focke.

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  4. Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
  6. Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.