Botanical Name: Rubus glaucus
Family: Rosaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Rosales
Genus: Rubus
Species: R. glaucus
Common Names: Mora de Castilla or Andean raspberry
Habitat: Mora de Castilla is a species of blackberry found in Latin America from Oaxaca to Bolivia, including the northern and central Andes. It is similar to a loganberry in terms of taste and utility.
Description:
Mora de Castilla is a perennial semi-erect deciduous climbing shrub, belonging to the rose family. It consists of several round and spiny stems that form the corona of the plant, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, and can grow up to 3 m. The leaves are trifoliate with serrated edges, dark green and white beam beneath. Both stems and leaves are covered by a white powder……..CLICK & SEE
The fruit is an ellipsoid compound drupe of 15 to 25 mm at its widest diameter, weighing 3-5 grams, green when formed, becoming red when ripe and then dark and bright purple. It consists of small drupes attached to the receptacle when ripe and fleshy whitish rich in vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus, bittersweet, and suitable for juices, nectars, jams, jellies, ice cream, pastries and confectionery. Fruit production is continuous with two annual peaks. Plants reach maturity and produce fruit after the first year extending through the rest of the plant’s life which can be 12 to 20 years.
Cultivation:
The plant grows best at temperatures between 12 and 19 °C, with relative humidity of 80 to 90%, high sunshine and well distributed rainfall between 800 and 2,500 mm a year. It is native to tropical highlands of northwestern South America and Central America and prefers elevations between 1,500 m and 3,100 m. In countries such as Costa Rica it is found in the upper part of the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Central Volcanic Cordillera.
Propagation:
Plant propagation is done through seeds, however, it requires some stratification, coming to stored seeds, and they need a stratification of one month at about 3°c. They are best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. When the plant is large enough to handle, the seedlings are perforated and grown in a cold frame. During the late spring of the following years, they are planted out into their permanent positions and the month of July, tip layering is done and planted out in autumn. Early spring is best for divisioning or just before leaf-fall in the autumn.
Edible Uses:
Fruits are eaten – raw or cooked. Rich, tart and very juicy, they are superior in flavour and quality to most cultivated blackberries and raspberries. The fruit is up to 3cm long.
Medicinal Uses: The barris have lots of health benefits.
Other Uses:
A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_glaucus
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+glaucus
