Rubus australis
| Rubus australis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Rubus australis
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: Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[2][3][1].
This species is not very hardy in Britain but it tolerates light frosts and succeeds outdoors in the mildest parts of the country[3][4].
The flowers have a sweet perfume[5].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Forest fringes[6]. When growing in an open sunny position it forms a flowerless and leafless plant[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[7]. Juicy[8]. The yellow fruits have an outstanding flavour[5].
The sap can be extracted and used as a drink[6][7].
Usage: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
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.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.