Rubus linkianus
Ser.
Link's Blackberry
Bernie (via Wikimedia Commons)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit is possibly edible — it is certainly not poisonous — and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Link's Blackberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant.
Europe,
How to Identify
A deciduous shrub hardy to UK zone 6. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Thrives in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun and prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is unknown in the wild. It is possibly of hybrid origin, the flowers are always double. 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 should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame. Tip layering in July, planting out in autumn. Division can be done in early spring or just before leaf-fall in autumn.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Rubus linkianus is a European species of brambles in the rose family. It is cultivated for its fruits and as an ornamental. It is occasionally naturalized in scattered locations in the United States. The genetics of Rubus is extremely complex, so that it is difficult to decide on which groups should be recognized as species. There are many rare species with limited ranges such as this. Further study is suggested to clarify the taxonomy.
Notes
There are about 250 Rubus species.
References (2)
- A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2:560. 1825
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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