Rubus spectabilis 鮭莓、美洲大樹莓、美莓

Common name: Salmonberry
Scientific name: Rubus spectabilis 鮭莓、美洲大樹莓、美莓
Genus: Genus: Rubus 懸鉤子屬
Family: Rosaceae 薔薇科, rose family

Origin: Neophyte (established after 1500 AD). It is a native of western North America. It was introduced in Britain in 1827 and was known from the wild by at least 1874. 

Note: This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild in NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them.

Date: 24th March

[223] Deciduous, vigorous, suckering shrub. Flowers are usually solitary on lateral branches.

[225] Can reach up to 1-4m tall.

[209] Spines on stem.

[209cropped] Weak spines (straight prickles) occurring lower down the stem.

[204] Buds.

[204cropped] Leaves developing.

[203]

[216cropped] Flowering bud (left) and leaves developing.

[221cropped] Bases of leaves showing the stipules.

[202] 7-22cm long green trifoliate (ternate), toothed leaf. Leaflets are rhomboid. Terminal leaflet is larger than the two side leaflets.

[218] Underside of the leaves.

[218cropped] Hairs on the petiole as well as the mid-veins of the underside of the leaflets.

[208cropped] Flower bud.

[201cropped] Underside of the flower showing the 5 sepals.

[230cropped] Side view of a flower showing the sepals and petals.

[230cropped2] Enlarged photo showing the hairy sepals.

[211cropped1] Flower 2-3cm in diameter, with 5 pinkish-purple petals.

[211cropped2] Numerous (75-100) stamens, but pistils are still covered by the stamens for this flower.

[228cropped1] Lateral stage of a flower, both stamens and pistils could be clearly seen.

[228cropped2] Numerous stamens and pistils could be seen. Pistils with carpels above the petals could be seen above.