Ceylon Blackberry, Eelkek
Rubus moluccanus
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Rubus moluccanus is a deciduous Shrub. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Rainforest edges in Australia. Found at elevations up to 2100 metres in the Himalayas.
E. Asia - Himalayas to Sri Lanka. Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc. It has a sour flavour and is astringent.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The leaves are abortifacient, astringent and emmenagogue. The fruit is considered to be a useful remedy for the nocturnal micturation of children (bed-wetting).
Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Enuresis: Treats bed wetting.
Other
Rating: 1
A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there is at least one named variety. 'Keri' (or Keriberry) is a very vigorous plant with mild flavoured large black fruits that lack the distinctive flavour of blackberries. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist