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Rubus moluccanus - L.

Common Name Ceylon Blackberry, Eelkek
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rainforest edges in Australia[193]. Found at elevations up to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[240].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas to Sri Lanka. Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rubus moluccanus Ceylon Blackberry, Eelkek


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rubus_moluccanus_Blanco2.393-cropped.jpg
Rubus moluccanus Ceylon Blackberry, Eelkek

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rubus moluccanus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc[146, 177, 183]. It has a sour flavour and is astringent[193].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Abortifacient  Astringent  Emmenagogue  Enuresis

The leaves are abortifacient, astringent and emmenagogue[240 , 360 ]. The leaves, or the sap they contain, can be used to treat dysentery[310 ]. The sap from young shoots is drunk in a single dose to induce labour[310 ]. A decoction of the tender leaves, combined with the leaves of Psidium guajava, Perilla ocimoides and Vernonia volkameriaefolia plus the root of Urena lobota root, is used to treat abdominal pain[360 ]. The leaves are chewed with salt and then spat onto sores to promote healing[310 ] Sap from the leaves or stems is used to treat eye diseases[310 ]. The fruit is considered to be a useful remedy for the nocturnal micturition of children (bed-wetting)[240 , 360 ]. The roots are astringent and a blood tonic[310 , 360 ]. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of dysentery and other internal complaints[310 ]. The bark contains around 10% tannins and is an effective astringent[360 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

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

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Rubus moluccanus has a wide native range from the Himalayas through tropical southeast Asia to eastern Australia, where it can be found as far south as the warm temperate zone of Victoria. In the temperate zone, it can only be grown in regions with mild winters. Easily grown in a good well-drained, loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1 , 11 , 200 ]. The plant spreads by means of bird-sown seeds and vegetatively to form thickets. It has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in several areas, including the Mascarene Islands and southeastern N. America[413 ]. There is at least one named variety occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit. 'Keri' (or Keriberry) is a very vigorous plant with mild-flavoured large black fruits that lack the distinctive flavour of blackberries[183 ]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

Links / References

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Readers comment

Ed Gecko   Tue Nov 7 2006

As grown in the southwest of Western Australia the keri produces a reasonably sweet fruit on a calcareous soil.

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