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Rubus illecebrosus

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-bus il-lee-see-BROH-sus
Description

The Genus Rubus includes blackberry, dewberry, and raspberry and most members of the Genus share the traits of thorny or bristly stems and compound leaves. Also, flowers and fruit appear on last season’s canes (branches), seldom on new shoots, which means one must be cautious when pruning and not remove the canes that will yield next year's berries. There are differences, however, among species; for example, some are erect or arching shrubs up to 8 feet high and others trail on the ground like vines. Some, such as dewberries, produce fruits in the spring while blackberries and raspberries fruit during the summer. In general, Genus Rubus contains some of the most important plants for wildlife in the southeast

Rubus illecebrosus, or the strawberry-raspberry, is a deciduous perennial thorny shrub in the Roseaecae family.  It is typically found in thickets and disturbed areas. It can become weedy and spread freely in a hospitable site. It grows well in sandy to medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers moist, well-drained soil. The plant requires full sun, but tolerates light shade. The plant flowers in early summer and the seeds ripen into fruit in late summer. Some report that the fruit is sweet and edible raw or cooked. Others feel the fruit is sour or bitter and inedible. The flavor seems to improve when the fruit is cooked.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

Other than honey fungus, to which most Rubus species are susceptible, there are no known problems.

More information on Rubus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#deciduous#showy fruits#pollinator plant#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#deciduous#showy fruits#pollinator plant#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rubus
    Species:
    illecebrosus
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Asia and Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant provides nectar for pollinators.
    Edibility:
    Fruit is edible, either raw or cooked, and cooking the berries is said to improve the flavor.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are unusually large for the genus, each oblong, red, up to 3⁄4 inch long with 50–100 drupelets. Fruit has a sweet taste, although some feel the fruit is insipid when eaten raw.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are produced either one at a time or in clumps of 2-3, each with 5 petals longer than those of most related species. Blooms from April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Pollinators