Rubus idaeus - Raspberry 'Tulameen'

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Rosales > Rosaceae > Rubus > Rubus idaeus

Height: 1.5 - 2 m (6.5 feet)
Width: 1.5 m (4.9 feet)

Foliage Type: Evergreen
Habit: Thicket Forming
Bark Type: Woody

Leaf:

Flower:

Flower Type: Self-fertile Hermaphrodite
Pollinator: Bees, Flies, Bats
Flower Time: Aug - Oct (SH) | Feb - Apr (NH)

Fruit: 
Fruit Time: Nov - Jan (SH) | May - Jul (NH)

Growth Type: Shrub
Origin: European
Climate: Cool, Cool Temperate

Natural Soil: Tolerates well drained moderately fertile moist soils, prefers rich and organic. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5
Aspect: Semi-shade to full sun, frost and drought tolerant

Propagation: cutting, arial layering, seed, division

Stem cuttings of non-flowering shoots during the growing period.

Attracts: birds, bees, butterflies, flies, bats
 

Edible Parts: fruit, root, shoots, stem

Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked

Root - cooked. The root, which should be neither too young nor too old, requires a lot of boiling.

Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw or cooked like asparagus.

They are harvested as they emerge through the ground in the spring and whilst they are still tender. A herb tea is made from the dried leaves.

Tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.

Medicinal Parts: 

Medicinal Uses: The leaves and roots are anti-inflammatory, astringent, decongestant, ophthalmic, oxytocic and stimulant. The whole plant is Antiemetic.

A tea made from them is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, as a tonic for the uterus to strengthen pregnant women, and as an aid in childbirth. The tea has also been shown as effective in relieving painful menstrual cramps. 

The active ingredients both stimulate and relax the uterus, used during the last three months of pregnancy and during childbirth, but should not be used earlier.

Externally, the leaves and roots are used as a gargle to treat tonsillitis and mouth inflammations, as a poultice and wash to treat sores, conjunctivitis, minor wounds, burns and varicose ulcers.

The fruit is antiscorbutic and diuretic; the juice mixed with honey can be used to help ease fever. Made into a syrup, it is said to have a beneficial effect on the heart.

Support Parts:
Support Uses: Landscape Uses: Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore.

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

A fibre obtained from the stems is used in making paper. The stems are harvested in the summer after the fruit has been eaten, the leaves are removed and the stems are steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then hand beaten with mallets or ball milled for 3 hours. The paper is light brown in colour.

A decongestant face-mask made from the fruit is used cosmetically to soothe reddened skin

Warnings: None known

Allergen Potential: Low

Pest and Disease: Acalitus essigi (redberry mite), Acleris rufana, Acronicta auricoma (Scarce Dagger), Acronicta brumosa (Charred Dagger Moth), Acronicta longa (Long-winged Dagger Moth), Acronicta menyanthidis (Light Knot Grass), Acronicta spinigera (Nondescript Dagger Moth), Acrophylla titan (Titan Stick Insect), Acrophylla wuelfingi (Wülfing's Stick Insect), Adelges abietis (Aphid), Agromyza filipendulae, Agromyza potentillae, Agromyza sulfuriceps, Agrotis gladiaria (claybacked cutworm), Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth), Alces alces (moose), Amphorophora idaei, Anaplectoides prasina (green arches), Anastrepha suspensa (Caribbean fruit fly), Ancylis apicana, Ancylis comptana (Strawberry leafroller), Andrena haemorrhoa (Early Mining Bee), Angerona prunaria (orange moth), Anisogramma vepris, Anthonomus rubi (Strawberry Blossom Weevil), Anthophora abrupta (miner bee), Aphantopus hyperantus (Ringlet Butterfly), Aphis idaei (Small Raspberry Aphid), Apis mellifera (honey bee), Apolygus spinolae, Arge gracilicornis, Argolamprotes micella, Argynnis paphia (Silver-washed Fritillary), Atrococcus bejbienkoi (Bei-Bienko's mealybug), Aulacaspis rosae (rosa scale), Batophila aerata, Batophila rubi, Blastobasis decolorella, Bombus hortorum (Small Garden Humble-bee), Bombus vestalis (Vestal Cuckoo-bee), Bonasa umbellus (Ruffed Grouse), Brenthis daphne (Marbled Fritillary), Brenthis ino (Lesser Marbled Fritillary), Brunnipila clandestina, Byturus tomentosus (Raspberry beetle), Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Carnation Tortrix), Caliroa cerasi (pearslug), Calliteara pudibunda (Pale Tussock), Callophrys rubi (Green Hairstreak Butterfly), Calycellina separabilis, Calypte anna (Anna's Hummingbird), Carpodacus sipahi (Scarlet Finch), Carposina adreptella, Catharus ustulatus (Swainson's Thrush), Celastrina argiolus (Holly Blue Butterfly), Cenopalpus spinosus, Cerastis tenebrifera (reddish speckled dart), Charanyca ferruginea, Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria (Blackberry Looper), Cladius pectinicornis, Claremontia alternipes, Cleora cinctaria (Ringed Carpet), Clossiana dia, Clypeosphaeria mamillana, Cnephasia asseclana (Flax Tortrix Moth), Coccura comari (Kunow's mealybug), Conistra vaccinii (Chestnut), Creontiades dilutus (green mirid), Crocallis elinguaria (Scalloped Oak Moth), Dasineura plicatrix, Diachrysia balluca (Green-patched Looper), Discostroma corticola, Dolycoris baccarum (sloe bug), Edwardsiana rosae (Rose leafhopper), Empria longicornis, Empria tridens, Erastria coloraria (Broad-lined Erastria Moth), Eriophyes rubicolens, Eueretagrotis perattentus (Two-Spot Dart), Euphyia unangulata (sharp-angled carpet), Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia), Eupithecia pusillata (juniper pug), Eupithecia satyrata (Satyr Pug Moth), Eupithecia vulgata (Common Pug Moth), Euplexia lucipara (Small Angle Shades), Eutorna phaulocoma, Euxoa scandens (white cutworm), Evacanthus interruptus, Fixsenia pruni (black hairstreak), Gymnoscelis lundbladi (Double-striped Pug), Gynaephora selenitica, Habrosyne pyritoides (Buff Arches), Habrosyne scripta (Lettered Habrosyne), Hartigia nigra, Hebata decipiens, Hedya nubiferana (marbled orchard tortrix), Hepialus humuli (Ghost Moth), Herminia grisealis (Small Fan-foot), Herminia tarsicrinalis (Shaded Fan-foot), Herminia tarsipennalis (fan foot), Herpotrichia herpotrichoides, Heterotoma planicornis, Hyalopeziza millepunctata, Hydraecia micacea (potato stem worm), Hyppa rectilinea (Saxon), Incurvaria flavimitrella, Incurvaria rubiella, Lacanobia contigua (Beautiful Brocade), Lacanobia thalassina (Pale-shouldered Brocade), Lasiocampa quercus (Oak Eggar), Lasiocampa trifolii (Grass Eggar), Lasioptera rubi (Blackberry Stem Gall Midge), Lepidosaphes ulmi (apple oystershell scale), Lepus americanus (Snowshoe Hare), Lepyrus capucinus, Lithophane socia (pale pinion), Lophiotrema curreyi, Luperus longicornis, Lygocoris pabulinus (Common Green Capsid), Lygus rugulipennis, Macrothylacia rubi (Fox Moth), Malacosoma californica (Western Tent Caterpillar), Martes americana (American Marten), Meganola albula (Kent Black Arches), Melanchra assimilis (Black Arches), Melanchra persicariae (Dot Moth), Mesoleuca albicillata (Beautiful Carpet Moth), Metallus albipes, Metallus lanceolatus, Metallus pumilus, Mimeuria ulmiphila, Mniotype satura (beautiful arches), Myodes rutilus (northern red-backed vole), Nematocampa resistaria (Horned Spanworm), Neocoenorrhinus germanicus, Oriolus oriolus (Eurasian Golden Oriole), Orthosia gothica (Hebrew Character), Orthosia gracilis (Powdered Quaker), Orthosia rubescens (Ruby Quaker), Otiorhynchus rugifrons, Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus, Otiorhynchus singularis, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (European strawberry weevil), Pamphilius hortorum, Panonychus ulmi (European red mite), Papaipema cataphracta (burdock borer), Paraleptosphaeria praetermissa, Pegomya rubivora (raspberry cane maggot), Pemphigus rubiradicis, Pennisetia hylaeiformis (Raspberry Clearwing), Peritelus sphaeroides, Phoma idaei, Phomopsis muelleri, Phragmatobia fuliginosa (ruby tiger moth), Phyllocoptes gracilis, Phyllopertha horticola, Plagodis pulveraria (Barred Umber Moth), Planotortrix notophaea (blacklegged leafroller), Platycampus luridiventris, Platynota idaeusalis (Tufted Apple Bud Moth), Poecile montanus (Willow Tit), Polia nebulosa (Grey Arches), Polygonia c-album (Comma Butterfly), Pristiphora pallidiventris, Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides (Tufted Thyatirid Moth), Psyche casta, Pyrenopeziza rubi, Pyrgus malvae (Grizzled Skipper), Resseliella fruticosi, Resseliella oculiperda, Resseliella theobaldi, Ribautiana debilis, Sarcophaga carnaria (Camouflaged Flesh Fly), Saturnia pavonia (Emperor moth), Schizothyrium speireum, Schreckensteinia festaliella (blackberry skeletonizer), Sciurus carolinensis (eastern gray squirrel), Scoliopteryx libatrix (herald moth), Sonronius dahlbomi, Spaelotis clandestina (Clandestine Dart), Sparganothis umbrana, Sphaerulina westendorpii, Sphinx ligustri (Sphinx moth), Spialia sertorius (Red-underwing Skipper), Spilosoma lubricipeda (White Ermine Moth), Spilosoma lutea (Buff Ermine), Spilosoma luteum, Spodoptera dolichos (Sweetpotato Armyworm Moth), Sterictiphora furcata, Stigmella aurella, Stigmella splendidissimella, Strymon melinus (cotton square borer),  Stypella mirabilis, Sydowiella depressula, Sylvia atricapilla (Eurasian Blackcap), Sylvia borin (Garden Warbler), Sylvia communis (Common Whitethroat), Synanthedon tipuliformis (Currant borer/Clearwing moth), Synchlora aerata (Wavy-lined Emerald), Tamias minimus (least chipmunk), Taxonus agrorum, Tenthredo mesomela, Tetrastes bonasia (Hazel Grouse), Thyatira batis (Peach Blossom Moth), Tischeria gaunacella, Trichordestra tacoma, Triposporium elegans, Truncatella laurocerasi, Turdus merula (Eurasian Blackbird), Turdus migratorius (American Robin), Udea flavidalis, Ursus americanus (black bear), Ursus arctos (Grizzly Bear), Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox), Xanthorhoe lacustrata (Toothed Brown Carpet), Xanthotype sospeta (Crocus Geometer Moth), Xestia baja (Dotted Clay), Xestia smithii (Smith's Dart), Xestia triangulum (Square-spotted Clay), Xylena exsoleta (Sword-grass), Zonotrichia leucophrys (White-crowned Sparrow)

The dominating compounds identified in the shoots of R. idaeus were ellagic acid (26.1 - 106.8 mg/100 g) and sanguiin H-6 (139.2 - 633.1 mg/100 g).

The shoot extract was found to be a strong antioxidant (EC50 19.4 μg/ml, AAE 427.94 mg/g) and displayed the strongest bactericidal properties towards Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Food Name: Raspberry, raw

Energy, with dietary fibre (kJ): 120
Energy, without dietary fibre (kJ): 83
Moisture (g): 89.6
Protein (g): 1.5
Total fat (g): 0.3
Available carbohydrates, with sugar alcohols (g): 2.6
Available carbohydrates, without sugar alcohol (g): 2.6
Starch (g): 0
Total sugars (g): 2.6
Added sugars (g): 0
Free sugars (g): 0
Dietary fibre (g): 4.7
Alcohol (g): 0
Ash (g): 0.9
Preformed vitamin A (retinol) (µg): 0
Beta-carotene (µg): 2230
Provitamin A (b-carotene equivalents) (µg): 2300
Vitamin A retinol equivalents (µg): 383
Thiamin (B1) (mg): 0.06
Riboflavin (B2) (mg): 0.21
Niacin (B3) (mg): 0.7
Niacin derived equivalents (mg): 0.99
Folate, natural  (µg): 105
Folic acid  (µg): 0
Total Folates  (µg): 105
Dietary folate equivalents  (µg): 105
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.14
Vitamin B12  (µg): 0
Vitamin C (mg): 29
Alpha-tocopherol (mg): 0.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.21
Calcium (Ca) (mg): 90
Iodine (I) (µg): 6.6
Iron (Fe) (mg): 2.8
Magnesium (Mg) (mg): 12
Phosphorus (P) (mg): 58
Potassium (K) (mg): 210
Selenium (Se) (µg): 0.9
Sodium (Na) (mg): 7
Zinc (Zn) (mg): 0.4
Caffeine (mg): 0
Cholesterol (mg): 0
Tryptophan (mg): 17
Total saturated fat (g): 0
Total monounsaturated fat (g): 0
Total polyunsaturated fat (g): 0
Linoleic acid (g): 0
Alpha-linolenic acid (g): 0
C20:5w3 Eicosapentaenoic (mg): 0
C22:5w3 Docosapentaenoic (mg): 0
C22:6w3 Docosahexaenoic (mg): 0
Total long chain omega 3 fatty acids (mg): 0
Total trans fatty acids (mg): 0

Krauze-Baranowska, M., Głód, D., Kula, M., Majdan, M., Hałasa, R., Matkowski, A., Kozłowska, W., & Kawiak, A. (2014). Chemical composition and biological activity of Rubus idaeus shoots--a traditional herbal remedy of Eastern Europe. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14, 480. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-480

McClure, S & Roth, S (1995) Companion Planting. Lothian Succesful Gardening. ISBN: 0 85091 691 7

Plants For A Future contributors (2024). Rubus idaeus - L. Plants For A Future. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+idaeus

Unknown. (2023). Rubus idaeus (Raspberry). World Species. Retrieved from https://worldspecies.org/ntaxa/2190441

Unknown. (2023). Australian Food Composition Database downloadable files: Nutrition File. Food Standards Australia. Retrieved 30/06/2024 from https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/science-data/monitoringnutrients/afcd/australian-food-composition-database-download-excel-files