Rubus apetalus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. It grows 1.5 m high. The flowering branches have a few yellow or white hairs. The prickles are slender and curved. The leaves are 7-16 cm long by 6-13 cm wide. They have teeth along the edge. The fruit are round and 0.5-0.8 cm long. They are purplish-black. They are edible when ripe.

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in hilly and mountain regions near forests in West Africa. It grows along the edges of forests. In Kenya it grows between 1,450-2,700 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jam and juice.

The fruit are enjoyed by children and all ages.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be used as a hedge. Plants can be grow by seeds or suckers.

Ripe fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Amakerre, Enjori, Ewandwandwa, Gora, Gormach, Gorra, Injera, Kaa, Kaliwa-bangwe, Komora, Kuamangongo, Luemya, Lukelele, Lumwino, Mashawa, Olayakuji, Sak "b", Voaroy fotsy, Worichu go'ra, Yedega-enjori

Synonyms

Rubus adolfi-friederici Engl.; Rubus exsuccus Dteud. ex A. Rich.; Rubus mundtii Cham. ex Schltdl.; Rubus pinnatiformis C. E. Gust.; Rubus rigidus Sm.; and others