South African raspberry
Rubus pinnatus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small bush or scrambler. It can grow 3.5 m high. The flowering branches have prickles. The leaves are 10-19 cm long by 8-12 cm wide. They are divided into leaflets. The flower petals are small but pink. The fruit are red.

There are about 250 Rubus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests near streams. It grows between 1,100-2,230 m altitude. In Kenya it grows between 1,500-2,750 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Southern Africa, St Helena, Swaziland, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jams.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be used as a hedge plant.

Its other names

Local names

Amakerre, Amaqunube, Braambos, Cape bramble, Enkenene, Gumence, Gumgumence, Hagena, Ijikijolo, Iqunube, Kapete, Ligungumence, Mtoje, Mucato, Munambala, N'cato, Yekola-enjori

Synonyms

Rubus kingaensis Engl.; Rubus pinnatus forma subglandulosus C. E. Gust.;