Mauritius Raspberry (Rubus rosaefolius)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −6.7 °C

Cultivation

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Not very hardy outdoors in Britain, it usually requires greenhouse protection though it has been seen outdoors at Kew growing at the base of a west-facing wall[K] and might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

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. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc. Leaves. No further details are given.

Medicinal uses

The leaves and the roots are anodyne, astringent and depurative. A decoction of the leafy stems is used in the treatment of fevers.

Material uses

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Habitat

Hillsides in gullies, rock seams and bases of walls in China.

Native range

E. Asia - Himalayas to the East Indies and Australia.