Rosaceae FAMILY

Rubus cissoides

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Rubus cissoides is an evergreen shrub with two types of stem - juvenile stems do not flower - they creep over the forest floor, rooting at intervals. Adult stems are produced from the leaf nodes - these can be 15 metres or more long and can sometimes reach to the tops of tall trees in its native habitat. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeNew Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands.

HabitatForests and scrub, from lowland to montane areas[ 44 Title Flora of New Zealand. Publication Author Allan. H. H. Website http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml Publisher Government Printer, Wellington. Year 1961 ISBN - Description The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version. ].