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Rubus phoenicolasius

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-bus fee-nee-ko-LAY-see-us
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 phoenicolasius, or Wine raspberry, is listed as a potentially invasive plant and banned in several New England states, but is not yet listed as invasive or noxious in North Carolina. However, it is known to be thicket-forming and can become quite weedy.

Wine raspberry is a perennial, deciduous shrub growing to 9 feet high by 3 feet 3 inches wide at a medium rate. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen to edible fruit from August to September. The species is pollinated by Insects. It grows well in sandy, loamy, and clay soils and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. Wine raspberry is easy to identify by its rounded leaflets and bristly stems with red hairs. In its native environment, it is often found in clearings in lowland and on low to medium elevations all over Japan and China.

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is reported to be sweet and juicy. It is a raspberry-type fruit, in that it is smaller than a traditional raspberry, contains a lot of seeds, and is not quite as flavorful. Wine raspberry is a potentially ornamental plant with red stems adding color to the winter garden. It can be propagated from seed, but also from division in the early spring.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

More information on Rubus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shrub#ornamentals#edible fruits#pollinator plant#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shrub#ornamentals#edible fruits#pollinator plant#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rubus
    Species:
    phoenicolasius
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wineberries are used similarly to raspberries to make pastries, such as pie or other sweet treats.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Asia, Korea, and Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Fruit is edible by songbirds and small mammals. Thicket-like growth can provide cover for small animals and birds.
    Edibility:
    Juicy bright red fruits are eaten raw or cooked. Sweet and tart with a raspberry-like flavor, wineberries are used similarly to raspberries to make pastries, such as pie or other sweet treats.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • 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:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Aggregate
    Drupe
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    After flowering, the fruit is enclosed in its calyx until just before it is ripe. Fruit ripens in August and September. The fruit is about .75 inches in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flower buds are red and hairy. Small flowers are white and star shaped with pointed tipped petals. Blooms from April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are bright green on top, alternate, compound leaves with three heart-shaped toothed leaflets. The underside of the leaves are silvery and very hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Description:
    The canes have red glandular hairs. Red stems adding colour to the winter garden.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Weedy