Golden evergreen raspberry, Himalayan yellow raspberry
Rubus ellipticus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. It grows to about 5 m high. The stems and leaf stalks are densely covered with long stiff hairs and armed with rather large spines. The leaves are compound with three leaflets somewhat rounded or elliptical and flattened at the tip. The lower surface is velvety. They are 1.5-9 cm long by 1-7 cm across. The end leaflet is the largest. The flowers are white and borne in clusters. These can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The berries are pale yellow, fleshy and fairly good flavour.

There are about 250 Rubus species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in oak and pine forests between 1,000-2,400 m above sea level. They occur only in Bontoc and Benguet, Mountain Province in the Philippines growing on open slopes at 1300 to 1600 m altitude. In Nepal they grow from 1600-2300 m altitude and in Northeastern India between 2,000-2,800 m above sea level. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw or made into preserves and jams. It is used for juice.

Fruit are sold in markets. They are eaten especially by children. The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from root offshoots or seeds.

In southern India plants flower and fruit November to March.

Its other names

Local names

Aakain, Aakhre, Aingkushi, Ainselu, Aiselu, Aisyalu, Akhe, Akhi, Akhre, Anchhoi, Anchhu, Anselu, Arbei kuning himalaya, Aselu, Baganna, Baganra, Batnak, Borjetulipoka, Bunut, Butnak, Cheemullu, Chhilum, Cho-sho, Chyaga, Esar, Ga-bra, Ghees, Gouriphal, Heijampet manbi, Heinra, Hinsalu, Hinsar, Hinure, Hisalu, Hisara, Hishalu, Hmu-tau, Jilyung, Jogiya hisalu, Jotelupoka, Jotelupoka, Kala, Karer, Kimrupsiang, Kinsar, Kisen pot, Kong-mrep, Leole, Lingsan, Machdim, Mach koli, Morok jemben, Mullu pazham, Ngushi, Nintcho, Nyaningma, Pahelo ainselu, Pakkom tayin, Palaha, Polang, Pulwarhi, Rato aiselu, Romvu, Shaga, Shiinghoshi, Soh-pero, Somoso shii, Subwe, Sumwe, Ta hinch, Theimi, Thulo asayloo, Thulo aselu, Titau, Tolu, Tser-gong, Tudum, Tuo yuan xuan gou zi, Xi bei qiong gei, Yellow raspberry, Zi ga

Synonyms

Rubus flavus Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don; Rubus gowreephul Roxb.; Rubus rotundifolius Wall.;