Molucca bramble
Rubus moluccanus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub reaching 2 to 3 m high. They can be 10-15 m long. The stems and leaves are armed with medium sized spines. The leaves are large and lobed and the upper surface hairy. The leaves can be 25 cm long and 25 cm wide. They are broadly heart shaped with 5 indistinct lobes. The flowers are white and borne in clusters. The berries are about 1-3 cm across. They are red and with little flavour.

There are about 250 Rubus species. An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in mountains from Bontoc, Mountain province in the Philippines to the northern limits of the islands. They are common in the highlands of Papua New Guinea from sea level to 2,200 m. In tropical Queensland they grow between 265-1200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The berries are eaten raw. They are also made into jam.

The plants are common in Papua New Guinea. The fruit is mainly eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They both grow wild. They could be grown by division of the root.

Its other names

Local names

Akar kupur, Arbei maluku, Berete, Bipen kanta, Brembet, Bunut, Ceylon blackberry, Dagamit, Dum dao Moluc, Duri berumbet, Fa lep, Farakau, Gadaw, Hareueus, Hezaembul, Kakaruka, Karembang ne langkow, Katsoi, Kinubot, Kwalo faraka'u, Kwalo totora, Milgankilgan gol, Ndang-chyaga, Ndangshaga, Nyia, Pfhupo, Pringga'en, Sapinit, Shanzi, Soh-nybbah, Som kung, Sosopi, Sufokji, Tampu rengat, Tempu ranak

Synonyms

Rubus angulosus Focke; Rubus haskarlii subsp. dendrocharis Focke; Rubus moluccanus var. dendrocharis (Focke) P. Royen;