Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry, Cutleaf blackberry
Rubus laciniatus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Rubus laciniatus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). 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): 2.5

Where it is found

Not known in a truly wild situation.

The origin of this plant is uncertain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Europe, North America, Tasmania, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 5

Fruit - raw or cooked. Large sweet and juicy with a fine flavour. The fruit is about 20mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is a blackberry 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. The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent. Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, it is a very vigorous and productive plant. There is at least one named variety. 'Oregon Cutleaf Thornless' is high yielding with good flavoured fruits and no prickles on the stems, thus making it easier to harvest. 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: 4-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Evergreen blackberry, Laciniate bramble, Parsley-leaf bramble, Oregon evergreen blackberry,

Synonyms

R. fruticosus laciniatus.