Rubus rosifolius aka Bramble Of The Cape

Rubus rosifolius, or Mauritius raspberry, is in the rose family. People also call it rose-leaved bramble or tropical red raspberry. Its home range starts in northeast India and China. It runs through Southeast Asia to eastern Australia and the western Pacific. It grows at forest edges, by roads, and on disturbed ground. In Australia, it grows in damp eucalyptus woods and at rainforest edges. In China, it also grows in gullies and rock cracks.

This shrub keeps its leaves all year. It grows about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall, sometimes more. Its woody rootstock sends up groups of stems with prickles. The stems may stand straight, arch, or climb through nearby growth. Each stem lives two years, but the shrub lives on. New stems grow leaves but no flowers in year one. In year two, they grow branches that bear flowers. Those stems die once they have borne fruit. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The red fruit reaches about 0.07 feet [0.02 metres] across.

Grow it in loam that drains well, in sun or part shade. In temperate regions, choose outdoor sites with mild winters. Its home range spans warm temperate and tropical climates. In the tropics, it often grows on higher ground. Grow new plants from seed or half-ripe cuttings. A cold spell before sowing helps seeds sprout. Stored seed needs about one month at 3°C. You can also root stem tips or split plants to grow more.

People gather both fruit and leaves for food. Eat the fruit fresh, or cook it in pies and preserves. Reports call its taste sweet to bland. Wild fruit can be watery, with little flavour. People eat fresh leaves or cook them as a side dish. Local markets in the Himalayas sell the fruit. People have also used the plant as a medicine. Reports describe root treatments for diarrhoea and leaves for itchy skin. These past uses do not prove they are safe or work.

Gardeners sometimes grow this shrub for its looks and for food. Its fruit yields purple to dull blue dye. Breeders use the species to breed tropical raspberries. It can escape gardens, which poses a clear planting concern. It can spread into moist forests, including gaps and disturbed sites. Invasive plant lists name it in Brazil, Tanzania, and Puerto Rico. They also list it in Cuba and Hawaii. The source reports no known hazards, but the stems bear prickles.