Rubus arcticus - Arctic Bramble

Family:	Rosaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Northern N. America, N. Europe and N. Asia. Formerly native to Britain in the Scottish highlands[17]

Rubus arcticus (Arctic Bramble) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 1.
Arctic Bramble will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Arctic Bramble will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Arctic Bramble prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Arctic Bramble should not be planted in shady areas.

Damp peats or gravels, especially on calcareous soils[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[1, 11]. A very variable species, it is sometimes divided into three species, viz.:- R. arcticus, R. acaulis and R. stellatus[101].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 61, 105, 257]. Very sweet, juicy and palatable with a pineapple-like aroma[1, 101, 172, 183]. Delicious when eaten out of hand, they are also used in making cakes, jams etc[183]. Unfortunately, they are often not produced very prolifically in a garden situation in Britain, probably because they prefer colder winters. Flowers - raw. Sweet and delicious[172]. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[61, 105, 183].

• Flowers -
• Fruit -
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.