''Rubus glaucus'', commonly known as ' or Andean raspberry, is a species of

blackberry The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus ''Rubus'' in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus ''Rubus'', and hybrids between the subgenera ''Rubus'' and ''Idaeobatus''. The taxonomy of ...

found in Latin America from

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

, including the northern and central

Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...

.Rydberg, Per Axel. 1913. North American Flora 22(5): 442
/ref> It is similar to a

loganberry The loganberry (''Rubus'' × ''loganobaccus'') is a hybrid of the North American blackberry (''Rubus ursinus'') and the European raspberry (''Rubus idaeus''). The plant and the fruit resemble the blackberry more than the raspberry, but the frui ...

in terms of taste and utility.National Academies Press, Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation ( 1989 ), page 214
/ref> ''Rubus glaucus'' is a perennial semi-erect climbing shrub, belonging to the

rose family Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are '' Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...

. 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. 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. 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.

Similar species

*'' Rubus adenotrichos'' (Schltdl. 1839) wild blackberry *'' Rubus bogotensis'' (Kunth, 1824) Black mulberry *'' Rubus giganteus'' (Benth. 1846) Cat blackberry or Moor blackberry *'' Rubus megalococcus'' (Focke, 1874) Small mora *'' Rubus nubigenus'' (Kunth, 1824) Large mora

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q4302294

glaucus In Greek mythology, Glaucus (; grc, Γλαῦκος, Glaûkos, glimmering) was a Greek prophetic sea-god, born mortal and turned immortal upon eating a magical herb. It was believed that he came to the rescue of sailors and fishermen in storms, ...

Flora of South America Flora of Mexico Flora of Central America Plants described in 1845 Berries