Golden Evergreen Raspberry, Yellow Himalayan raspberry
Rubus ellipticus
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Rubus ellipticus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. 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): 4.5
Where it is found
Shrubberies and open hillsides, to 2300 metres in the Himalayas. Dry slopes, montane valleys, sparse forests and thickets at elevations of 1000 - 2600 metres.
E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to China, also in S. India and Sri Lanka.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw or cooked. A good raspberry-like flavour. Sweet with a pleasant blend of acidity. he golden yellow fruit is about 10mm in diameter. Annual yields from wild plants in the Himalayas are about 750g from a plant occupying 2.5m². The fruit contains about 10.9% sugars, 1.1% protein, 0.5% ash, 0.55 pectin.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The plant is astringent and febrifuge. A decoction of the root, combined with Girardinia diversifolia root and the bark of Lagerstroemia parviflora, is used in the treatment of fevers. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers, gastric troubles, diarrhoea and dysentery. A paste of the roots is applied externally to wounds. Both the roots and the young shoots are considered to be a good treatment for colic. The leaf buds, combined with Centella asiatica and Cynodon dactylon, are pounded to a juice and used in the treatment of peptic ulcers. The juice of the fruit is used in the treatment of fever, colic, coughs and sore throat. The inner bark is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a sweet and sour flavour plus a heating potency. A renal tonic and antidiuretic, it is used in the treatment of weakening of the senses, vaginal/seminal discharge, polyuria and micturation during sleep.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Other
Rating: 3
A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit. The plant is grown to deter soil erosion and is good for soil conservation.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
How it is grown
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain, but it tolerates some frost and should succeed outdoors in the south and west of the country. Cultivated for its edible fruit in southern U.S.A. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas. This species has become established and naturalized in some areas of the Andes in S. America, where it is looking as though it could become a serious weed problem. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. 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; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Aakhre, Aingkushi, Ainselu, Akhe, Akhi, Akhre, Anchhu, Arbei kuning himalaya, Aselu, Batnak, Borjetulipoka, Bunut, Butnak, Cheemullu, Chyaga, Esar, Gouriphal, Hinsalu, Hinsar, Hinure, Hisalu, Hisara, Hishalu, Hmu-tau, Jilyung, Jogiya hisalu, Jotelupoka, Jotelupoka, Kimrupsiang, Leole, Lingsan, Ngushi, Nintcho, Rato aiselu, Shaga, Shiinghoshi, Soh-pero, Subwe, Sumwe, Theimi, Thulo aselu, Titau, Tolu, Tuo yuan xuan gou zi, Yellow raspberry,