African bramble
Rubus rigidus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A straggling herb or shrub. It can be erect. It grows 1-3.5 m high. It keeps growing from year to year. The flowering branches have a grey covering and prickles. The leaves are 6-14 cm long by 6-11 cm wide. The flowers are pink or red. The fruit are orange.

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of swamp forest in West Africa. It grows between 1,040-2,100 m altitude. It grows on clay loams and sandy soils. It is often along creeks and rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mozambique, North Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tunisia, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jams, jellies and drinks. The leaves are used for tea drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Achdirt, Akhlij, Allaiq, Amarha, Amodar, Annejil, Areq ahmar, Caulachombe, Chedremmou, Chouq, Ijingijolo, Inidjeb, Landj, Monokotsoai-oa-banna, Nkaakut, Tizoual, Ukato, Ulucumence, Wildebraam

Synonyms

Rubus atrocoeruleus Gust.; Rubus chrysocarpus Mundt ex Chams. & Schltdl.; Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees; Rubus inedulis Rolfe; Rubus mundtii Cham. & Schltdl.; Rubus rigidus var. buchananii Focke; Rubus rigidus var. chrysocarpus (Mundt ex Cha. & Schltdl.) Focke; Rubus rigidus var. incisus Gust.; Rubus rigidus var. mundtii (Cham. & Schltdl.) Focke; Rubus rigidus var. rigidus Eckl. & Zeyh.;