Appearance
Plants of "Rubus idaeus" are generally perennials which bear biennial stems from a perennial root system. In its first year, a new, unbranched stem grows vigorously to its full height of 1.5-2.5 m, bearing large pinnately compound leaves with five or seven leaflets, but usually no flowers. In its second year, a stem does not grow taller, but produces several side shoots, which bear smaller leaves with three or five leaflets. The flowers are produced in late spring on short racemes on the tips of these side shoots, each flower about 1 cm diameter with five white petals. The fruit is red, edible, and sweet but tart-flavoured, produced in summer or early autumn; in botanical terminology, it is not a berry at all, but an aggregate fruit of numerous drupelets around a central core. In raspberries ", the drupelets separate from the core when picked, leaving a hollow fruit, whereas in blackberries and most other species of "Rubus," the drupelets stay attached to the core.
Habitat
As a wild plant, "R. idaeus" typically grows in forests, forming open stands under a tree canopy, and denser stands in clearings. In the south of its range, it only occurs at high altitudes in mountains. The species name "idaeus" refers to its occurrence on Mount Ida near Troy in northwest Turkey, where the ancient Greeks were most familiar with it.
Uses
"R. idaeus" is grown primarily for its fruits, but occasionally for its leaves, roots, or other parts.References:
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