Cutleaf Blackberry
Rubus ulmifolius
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Belgium, Corse, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia
Wikimedia: Simonjoan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Rubus
- Species:
- Rubus ulmifolius
- USDA Symbol:
- RULA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub , Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Proeulia sp.
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bees, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or cutting. Forms dense thickets that can increase fire fuel loads.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination is erratic and can take several months. Scarification followed by cold stratification improves rates.