The old raspberry!

By Clive Larkman

We all love a good berry and some of the favourites are raspberry and blackberry (wild and cultivated American) both of which are in the genus “Rubus”. There is also the fruit known as dewberry along with a selection of hybrids including loganberry, boysenberry, marionberry and tayberry. All of these are referred to as brambleberries and have a similar growth habit. The fruit, sometimes called a bramble fruit, is an aggregate of drupelets.

Rubus is a large genus in the Rose family (Rosaceae) which includes a wide range of climbers and medium to large shrubs including the popular rose bush. There are over 38 species of Rubus across the range of common names listed above. The genus name means blackberry in Latin and was derived from the word ruber, meaning “red”. The blackberries have a mounding or rambling growth habit, often called brambles. However, this name does not include the raspberry that grows as upright canes, or for trailing or prostrate species.

The group we refer to as raspberries is quite large, with more than 20 species. Rubus idaeus is the species that we generally call ‘raspberry,’ which we can buy from most fruit stores when in season. It is known as Red Raspberry or European Raspberry. There are more than 60 cultivars with fruit colours ranging from pink, red and yellow, to even black. They are divided into several groups based on their fruiting time. 

There are two groupings based on whether they fruit only on second-year canes or those that fruit on first-year and second-year canes. The latter are known as ‘autumn varieties’ as that is when the fruit ripens on current wood. Post-harvest, these should be pruned hard to produce good new growth for the following year. The ‘summer varieties’ flower and fruit on the previous season’s canes. After harvest, any canes that have produced should be cut away leaving the current season’s cane for the following year.

There are thorned and thornless varieties. Although it appears the name comes from the rasp-like effect on the hands when picking them, the name comes from the rough appearance of the fruit or from the Germanic word raspoie, which refers to the way the bush produces a thicket.

The plants are a little untidy, especially the summer varieties, and can be a little invasive. They spread by suckers which can easily be controlled by cutting them out in late summer. These can then be mulched or placed in pots to generate new plants. 

In milder Australian climates, the plants like the warmer weather but do need a level of winter chill to produce good fruit. They need full sun, protection from hot, dry winds, and plenty of summer moisture.

Once established, they are tough plants with only a few insect pests (not rampant here in Australia), and Botrytis (or grey mould), which is of no concern. The latter is best managed by ensuring the plants are not too wet or stressed from lack of water.

As a fruit, they are low in sugar, making them good for a Keto diet. They are also low in carbohydrates, have high levels of Vitamin C, Manganese, and dietary fibre (25%+ of the daily needs of each), and a low GI, making them a healthy snack or tasty dessert dish (especially with some Cointreau and fresh cream). 

The foliage is used to make herbal teas and is often promoted as a healthy tea that helps manage mild diseases. It is popular in most mixed herb tea blends, where it adds a tart tea-like flavour. There is not much scientific validation of medicinal benefits, but it seems there are also not too many contradictions.