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rubus ulmifolius - Schott.

Common Name Elm-Leaved Bramble, Elmleaf blackberry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Very common in many habitats, succeeding on chalk and clay and preferring open sunny habitats[11, 17, 150].
Range Europe, including Britain, from he Netherlands south and east to N. Africa, Italy and Macaronesia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
rubus ulmifolius Elm-Leaved Bramble, Elmleaf blackberry


rubus ulmifolius Elm-Leaved Bramble, Elmleaf blackberry

 

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Summary

Elm-leaved Bramble (R. ulmifolius) is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. It prefers sunny, open areas and can thrive in poor, well-drained soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Edible blackberries are used in jams and desserts or eaten fresh. Rubus are a diverse group of plants, including blackberries, raspberries and dewberries. They are all rose family members and are mainly native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in various habitats, including forests, meadows, and even deserts. Rubus plants are important food sources for humans and animals, and their berries are used in jams, pies and wines. Several species of Rubus are adaptable to dry, arid, semi-arid, or Mediterranean climates. These species tend to be drought-tolerant, surviving in regions with limited rainfall and thriving in well-drained soils.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
rubus ulmifolius is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. discolor. Syme. non Weihe.&Nees.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 145]. Aromatic, but with small dryish drupelets[11]. Sweet[148].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

Agroforestry uses: Rubus species can serve as ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion. They provide habitat and food for various wildlife species, including birds and beneficial insects. Their thorns can also act as a natural barrier. A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168]. The root yields an orange dye when mixed with salt[148]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Rubus species (including blackberries, raspberries, etc.) produce flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Rubus species produce abundant berries that are a significant food source for birds, mammals, and insects. Their dense thickets also provide shelter and nesting sites for small animals and birds. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The dense, sprawling growth habit of Rubus species provides excellent cover and shelter for invertebrates, with leaf litter creating ground habitat. They also offer overwintering sites in their stems and leaf litter. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Rubus species are not typically known for emitting scents that confuse pests.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil[1, 11, 200]. Succeeds on chalk or clay soils, preferring open habitats in the wild[17, 150]. Tolerates poor soils so long as they are not dry[202]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[1, 11, 200] and also in deep shade though growth is more lax in such a position[202]. Hardy to about -18°c[202]. Plants reproduce sexually and not apomictically like many brambles. Individual plants are self-sterile[17]. This species is a blackberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Berries are typically harvested in summer, from late spring to early autumn, depending on the species and local climate. Rubus species generally flower in late spring to early summer, usually from May to June (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. Rubus species are known for their vigorous growth and can establish quickly, often spreading through both seeds and vegetative propagation. They can reach maturity in 1 to 2 years, with some species growing rapidly within a single growing season.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant 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

Elm-leaved Bramble (R. ulmifolius), Rubus ulmifolius

Native Range

EUROPE: United Kingdom (Scotland), Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Actinidia rubus Climber0.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Rubus abbreviansVermont blackberryShrub0.0 0-0  LMHSNM301
Rubus acaulisDwarf RaspberryPerennial0.1 -  LMHSNM311
Rubus acer Shrub1.2 -  LMHSNM101
Rubus adenophorus Shrub2.5 5-9  LMHSNM201
Rubus adenotrichusMora ComunShrub2.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus affinis Shrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM201
Rubus alexeterius Shrub2.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus allegheniensisAlleghany Blackberry, Graves' blackberryShrub3.0 3-7 MLMHSNM321
Rubus almusMayes Dewberry, Garden dewberryShrub2.0 7-10  LMHSNM301
Rubus amabilis Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM301
Rubus ampelinus Shrub3.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus arcticusArctic Bramble, Arctic raspberry, Dwarf raspberryPerennial0.2 2-7  LMHNM501
Rubus argutusHighbush Blackberry, Sawtooth blackberryShrub2.5 0-0  LMHSNM211
Rubus arizonicusArizona DewberryShrub0.2 -  LMHSNM203
Rubus armeniacusHimalayan blackberryShrub3.0 5-10 FLMHSNDM422
Rubus australis Climber0.0 8-11  LMHSNM201
Rubus avipes Shrub2.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus baileyanusBailey's dewberryShrub1.0 0-0  LMHSNDM201
Rubus barbatus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus bellobatusKittatinny BlackberryShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM201
Rubus biflorusHimalayan RaspberryShrub3.5 0-0 FLMHSNM302
Rubus bifronsHimalayan berry, Hybrid European blackberry, Hybrid blackberryShrub1.5 0-0  LMHSNM101
Rubus bloxamii Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus buergeri Shrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNM201
Rubus caesiusDewberry, European dewberryShrub0.2 4-8  LMHSNM201
Rubus calycinusWild RaspberryPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM101
Rubus canadensisAmerican Dewberry, Smooth blackberryShrub2.5 3-7  LMHSNM411
Rubus candicans Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus caucasicus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
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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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Schott.

Botanical References

1117200

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Subject : rubus ulmifolius  
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