European dewberry, Youngberry, Dewberry
Rubus caesius

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A plant which trails over the ground. It grows 0.6-1.2 m high and spreads 1.8-3.5 m wide. The stems have a few prickles. The leaves have 3 leaflets and they are slightly downy. They have teeth along the edge and have an aroma. The leaflets have 2-3 lobes. The flowers are large and white. The fruit are black berries. They are edible.

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In western China it grows near river banks between 1,000-1,500 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Czech Republic, Dagestan, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jellies, preserves and wine. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The young shoots are peeled and eaten raw as a snack.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea, shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Azina, Bukuzumu, Drri, Drrila, Dzag'imaq'vala, Jezyna, Moras rateras, Mosheni, Ostruga, Poldmurakas, Poldmari, Sinjezelena robida, Tuutrrk, Yezhevika, Zarza, Zarzamora

Synonyms

Rubus caesius var. turkestanicus Regel;