Rubus deliciosus

Rubus deliciosus
Cultivated in Sweden
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Species: R. deliciosus
Binomial name
Rubus deliciosus
Torr.

Rubus deliciosus (boulder raspberry or delicious raspberry) is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the United States, in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, New Mexico, western Oklahoma (Cimarron County only), and Wyoming.

Distribution

Rubus deliciosus inhabits scrub and rocky slopes.[1][2] Some botanists place it in a separate genus as Oreobatus deliciosus (Torr.) Rydb.[3]

Rubus deliciosus with fruit.

Description

Rubus deliciosus is a deciduous shrub or vine growing to 1.5 m (5 ft), rarely 3 m (10 ft), 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.[2][4][5] The wild forms generally have unappealing fruit.[6]

Cultivation

Rubus deliciosus requires well drained soil in full sun. It is hardy to USDA zone #5 (-20°C; 18°F). It is propagated by cuttings in July or August.[5]

Hybrids

Rubus deliciosus 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.[7]
The cultivar R. × tridel 'Benenden' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8]

References

  1. ↑ USDA Plants Profile: Rubus deliciosus
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Oklahoma Biological Survey: Rubus deliciosus
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ Rocky Mountain Native Plants Company: Rubus deliciosus
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. (1989). Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 978-0-330-30258-6.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ National Museums Northern Ireland: Ornamental Bramble
  8. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Rubus 'Benenden'". Retrieved 31 May 2013.