Dutung
Rubus rolfei

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub 2 to 3 m high. It is a ground cover plant. The stems and lower surfaces of leaves and covered with fine soft hairs while the stem and larger veins of the leaves are armed with small spines. The leaves are rough and 3 to 5 lobed and dark green above and brownish underneath. They have a toothed edge. The leaves are crinkled. They turn reddish-brown with frost. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are yellow, fleshy and well flavoured.

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are common in mossy forests throughout the Philippines. In Taiwan it grows between 1,600-3,800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, USA

How it is used for food

The berries are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rubus calycinoides Hayata ex Koidz.; Rubus calycinoides var. macrophyllus Li; Rubus elmeri Focke; Rubus pentalobus Hayata; Rubus rolfei Vidal var. lanatus Hayata; and others