Asian Wild Raspberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Asian Wild Raspberry
• Broadleafed Bramble
• Ceylon Blackberry
• Evergreen Raspberry
• Golden Evergreen Raspberry
• Himalayan Raspberry
• Molucca Berry
• Molucca Bramble
• Molucca Raspberry
• Wild Raspberry
• Yellow Himalayan Raspberry
• Yellow Raspberry
• Hissalu
• हिसालु

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rubus tereticaulis subsp. ellipticus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Rosales and is a member of the Rosaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rubus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several continents. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is noted specifically within Tanzania. It is also found in South Tropical Africa, occupying regions in both Malawi and Mozambique. Moving further south, the species can be located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of Southern Africa. Additionally, its distribution extends to the eastern hemisphere, specifically within China South-Central.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rubus ellipticus is characterized by its specific distribution across montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species thrives within a vertical range that begins at an elevation of 1000 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Within this topographical gradient, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1750 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecosystems. These elevational parameters indicate that the plant is well-adapted to the specific temperature regimes, moisture levels, and atmospheric conditions typical of these mountain belts.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rubus ellipticus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its development, the species maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf presence enables the plant to engage in sustained vegetative growth and reproductive cycles over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubus ellipticus is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth habit, functioning as both a shrub and a subshrub. This terrestrial plant grows independently, without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies, and maintains a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 3.25 meters. Its structural form is defined by its woodiness and its ability to remain self-supporting rather than acting as an obligatory liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

3.25 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rubus ellipticus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits significant morphological variation in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a mean of 6 cm, reaching a maximum of 8 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a broad spectrum, starting from a minimum of 2 cm and averaging 4.5 cm, with a maximum width of 7 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses the physiological capability to function as a nitrogen fixer, allowing it to enhance soil fertility and support its own nutritional requirements through biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubus ellipticus is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in April and concludes in May. The plant produces flowers with a length ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. These flowers utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit categorized under the "other" type, which maintains a consistent dimension with a mean length of 0.95 cm and a mean width of 0.95 cm, though the dimensions can reach a maximum of 1 cm in both length and width. The seeds produced within the fruit are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.000445 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00039 g to a maximum of 0.0005 g (5e-04 g). Dispersal of the progeny is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are spread via animals, ensuring the continuation of the species across its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower length max:

1.5 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.95 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

5e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000445 g

Seed mass min:

0.00039 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubus ellipticus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. BioMed research international

Leaf

1. Narra J

Chemicals

Rubus ellipticus has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, CATECHIN, Ellagitannins, Flavonoid, Flavonoids.

Anthocyanins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of integrative plant biology

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ellagitannins

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Flavonoid

1. Narra J

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Glycoside

1. Narra J

SAPONIN

1. Narra J

Tannin

1. Narra J

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Rubus ellipticus has 12 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Nephroprotective, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antipyretic.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
3. Current medicinal chemistry
4. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Nephroprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
3. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Analgesic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Current medicinal chemistry

Antipyretic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Anticonvulsant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifertility

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Narra J

Medicinal Uses

Rubus ellipticus has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antioxidant, antipyretic, wound healing, Aspergillus niger.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations