Rubus moorei
F. Muell.
Native raspberry, Bush lawyer
(c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit, which grows up to 25mm long, can be eaten raw or cooked and is well suited to pies and preserves. It has a delicious tangy flavour, though it contains a lot of hard seeds which can be annoying.
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.
Native raspberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
How to Identify
A deciduous shrub growing to 3 m tall with a compact form. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Performs in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
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 are two types of plant, one with hairy and one with smooth stems. 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. 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 needs one month of stratification at around 3°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings once 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 or August in a frame. Tip layer in July and plant out in autumn. Divide in early spring or just before leaf-fall in autumn.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
A purple to dull blue dye can be obtained from the fruit.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Rubus moorei, the bush lawyer, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to subtropical areas of southeastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, Australia. A prickly shrub reaching 3 m (10 ft), its fruit is good-tasting, but has many stony seeds.
Notes
There are about 250 Rubus species.
References (4)
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 55
- Jones, D.L. & Gray, B., 1977, Australian Climbing Plants. Reed. p 59
- Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 67
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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