Rubus deliciosus is a North American species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native plant to the United States. Common names include the delicious raspberry,
Description
Rubus deliciosus is a
deciduous shrub or
vine growing to , rarely , with arching stems. Unlike many species of
Rubus, the flowering stems are perennial. The bark is flaky and peeling. The leaves are simple (not compound, like most other species in the genus), 3.3–5 cm long and broad, with three shallowly rounded lobes (occasionally unlobed or five-lobed), becoming glabrous beneath. The flowers are 3.8–6 cm diameter, fragrant, with five white petals 1.5–3 cm across.
The fruit is dark red, 10–13 mm diameter; it is rather dry and not highly valued, but the flavor is said to be delicious.[Rocky Mountain Native Plants Company: Rubus deliciosus][Phillips. R. & Rix. M. (1989). Shrubs. Pan Books .] The wild forms generally have unappealing fruit.[Weber, W.A. 1976. Rocky Mountain flora: A field guide for the identification of the Ferns, Conifers, and Flowering Plants of the Southern Rocky Mountains from Pikes Peak to Rocky Mountain National Park and from the Plains to the Continental Divide. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, CO.]
Distribution
It inhabits scrub and rocky slopes
[USDA Plants Profile: Rubus deliciosus][Oklahoma Biological Survey: Rubus deliciosus][Weber, W.A. & Wittmann, R.C. 1992. Catalog of the Colorado flora: a biodiversity baseline. University of Colorado Press, Niwot, Co. The Colorado Catalog – Online Version ] in the
Rocky Mountains in
Colorado,
New Mexico, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and
Wyoming. There are also reports of isolated populations in the
Texas Panhandle and in the
Black Hills of
South Dakota.
Cultivation
Rubus deliciosus requires well drained soil in full sun. It is hardy to
Hardiness zone #5 (-20 °F; -29 °C). It is propagated by cuttings in July or August.
Hybrids
It has been hybridized in cultivation with the very closely related (and possibly
conspecific)
Rubus trilobus of southern Mexico. This hybrid was introduced by the English plant collector Collingwood Ingram as
R. ×
tridel (Flowering bramble). It is popular as an
ornamental plant in gardens, having larger flowers up to 8 cm diameter.
[National Museums Northern Ireland: Ornamental Bramble]
The cultivar
R. ×
tridel 'Benenden' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
External links
