Rubus illecebrosus
| Rubus illecebrosus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Rubus illecebrosus (common name: strawberry-raspberry)
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].
Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit and occasionally naturalized in Europe[4].
Plants spread freely when in a suitable site and are apt to become invasive[5].
The plant adopts an almost herbaceous habit and is botanically a sub-shrub, only a small amount of woody stem persists overwinter[K].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Thickets and waste ground[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Fairly large and sweet but insipid raw[3][K]. The fruit is said to develop more flavour when it is cooked[7]. Another report says that the fruit is sour, bitter and unpalatable raw[8][7], though this does not agree with the plants we are growing[K]. The fruit is about 30mm in diameter[1].
Usage: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[9].
A good ground cover plant for a sunny position or light shade[8]. It spreads freely once established, but dies down over the winter and thus can allow other species to invade[K].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: R. commersonii illecebrosus. R. rosaefolius coronarius. R. sorbifolius.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 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.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.