Rubus microphyllus

Botanical Description

Rubus microphyllus is a deciduous shrub of bushy, rounded habit, producing each year a cluster of somewhat prickly, biennial stems growing from a woody rootstock[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. The plant grows 60 - 120cm tall[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.