Rubus ulmifolius

Mediterranean blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius )

The Mediterranean blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius ) or elm leaf blackberry is a perennial plant of the genus Rubus in the Section of blackberries (Rubus ). The fruit of the species is a popular food crop in the Mediterranean. In America and on the Galapagos archipelago the Mediterranean blackberry is a dreaded invasive plant that displaces native plants there.

Description

Mediterranean Blackberries are small shrubs that reach a stature height up to 2 meters. The habit is inclined evergreen plants easily. Branches and stems are usually reddish. The spines are straight or slightly curved.

The leaflets are 3 - to 5 - merous. Each leaflet is broad - ovate. The terminal leaflet is 3-8 cm long, the lateral leaflets are smaller. The leaf tops are bald or nearly bald. The leaf stalks are finely hairy. The undersides of leaves are densely pubescent tomentose.

The inflorescences are densely hairy. The hermaphrodite flowers are pink. The sepals are pointed. The petals are rounded and heavily wrinkled. The anthers are glabrous. The type flowers in July, the fruits ripen in August.

Dissemination

The natural range includes Europe, the Mediterranean, the Near East and Western Siberia. There the Mediterranean blackberry thrives in the semi-humid parts of the meridional zone and the winter mild parts of the nemoral zone.

Neophyte reserves are found in North America, New Zealand, the Galapagos Archipelago, and in Chile. There, the type is fought as an invasive plant.

System

The type part in two varieties:

• Rubus ulmifolius var inermis
• Rubus ulmifolius var ulmifolius