Rubus bifrons Vest ex Tratt
Himalayan BerryCategory |
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Shrub |
Similar Species May be confused with the following native and/or non-native species. Landscape Alternatives lists native horticultural substitutes |
Rubus spp. |
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Description
Height
Himalayan Berry grows to 9 feet (3 m) in height.Stem
The stems are angled to terete and scantly pilose to pubescent. Prickles are scattered and variable in length, 1/6-1/3 in (4-8 mm), straight to nearly hooked.Leaves
Alternate, palmately compound, 5-foliate; leaflets ovate-elliptic, 3-3.5 inches (7.5-8.5 cm) long and 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) broad; glabrous above, brown-canescent to tomentose beneath; narrowed at the base; gradually or abruptly narrowed at apex; margins finely or acutely serrate; armed with short hooked spines; petioles and rachis are also armed with short hooked spines.Flowers
The flowers grow in paniculate cymes. Their sepals are densely white tomentose on both sides, elliptic lanceolate, and 0.2-0.3 inch (0.6-0.8 cm) long. The petals are roseate to white, short clawed, and 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm) long.Fruit
An aggregation of black drupelets, about 0.6 inch (15 mm) in diameter, the fruits mature in June and July.Life History
It is a member of the Rosaceae Family. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and can be pollinated by insects or apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). The plant is self-fertile. Rubus is a Roman name meaning red; bifrons refers to the dimorphic leaves. A purple to dull blue dye can be obtained from the fruit.This blackberry is glandless. Rubus is a complex genus. Species are difficult to identify due to frequent hybridization and introgression.