Rubus niveus aka Hill Raspberry

Rubus niveus is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. Names include hill raspberry, Mysore black raspberry and Ceylon raspberry. Its native range spans much of Asia, from Afghanistan to the Philippines. It also includes China, India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. It grows in woods, clearings, hillside thickets and mountain valleys. It also occurs beside streams and on flood plains.

Garden plants reach about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall. Their spread is about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Plants may take two to five years to reach full size. The green leaves fall at the end of the season. Prickly canes stand upright, arch, or scramble through nearby plants. These stems can reach nearly 10 feet [3 metres] long. Each cane grows leaves in its first year. It flowers and fruits in its second year, then dies. The shrub also sends up suckers.

Pink to red flowers appear from June to July. Insects pollinate them, and red-black fruit follows. The small fruit can reach about half an inch across. It has soft, juicy flesh and a sweet raspberry taste. Eat it fresh or use it in pies and preserves. Picked fruit spoils fast and needs eating within a day. People gather it from wild plants and grow it for food. It has also been introduced as a fruit crop outside Asia.

Grow this shrub in sun or partial shade, with shelter. It accepts clay, loam and sand if water drains well. Keep the soil moist without leaving it waterlogged. RHS growing advice favours acid or neutral soil. It also suggests a mulch such as composted bark. RHS rates its hardiness H6, covering lows of −20 to −15°C. Remove canes that have fruited in early to mid-autumn. Cut them at ground level. Suckers provide a means of raising more plants.

Aphids, leafhoppers and raspberry beetles may attack the plant. Red spider mites and raspberry leaf and bud mites are other risks. Grey mould may occur, while honey fungus is a rarer problem. Useful Tropical Plants flags weed potential, so its spread merits attention. Breeders use it for vigour and resistance to leaf spot. Its fruit also yields purple to dull blue dye. The same source records traditional uses for leaves, roots and fruit. These uses do not establish medical benefit or safety. It lists no known hazards, but that is not a full safety assessment.