Rubus sieboldii
Blume
Palm-leaf Dewberry
(c) 王錦堯（Ong Jin Yao）, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 王錦堯（Ong Jin Yao）
(c) K_Kawashima, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by K_Kawashima
(c) KISC, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by KISC
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit 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.
Palm-leaf Dewberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant.
Asia, Japan,
How to Identify
A deciduous hermaphrodite shrub with insect-pollinated flowers. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid to basic and mildly alkaline pH. Suitable for 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 should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. 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 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 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 layer in July and plant 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 sieboldii, the Molucca raspberry, is a flowering plant in the genus Rubus. The species is native to Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands. The shrubs prefer low wetland areas, with very good sun exposure, though the plants can tolerate moderate shade.
Notes
There are about 250 Rubus species.
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