red raspberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• raspberry
• red raspberry
• wild red raspberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Batidaea idaea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Rubus idaeus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Rubus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. The species is also well-established throughout the territory of Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, this medicinal plant is also documented in the unique environment of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rubus idaeus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from a minimum elevation of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1800 m AMSL. In terms of landscape preference, this species is frequently observed within "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), indicating a notable capacity to inhabit environments modified or influenced by human activity.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Rubus idaeus are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that plays a critical role in its evolutionary adaptation and reproductive strategies. Specifically, the species exhibits a ploidy level of 2, indicating a diploid state. This diploidy serves as the fundamental genetic baseline for the species, influencing its mode of inheritance, genetic diversity, and the potential for subsequent polyploidization events often seen within the broader Rubus genus. The stability of this diploid genome is central to the plant's morphological expression and its capacity for both sexual and asexual reproduction, which are driven by its underlying chromosomal structure.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Rubus idaeus is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its buds well above the ground level, which facilitates its structural development and survival in various temperate habitats. This life form is further classified under the phanerophyte category, ensuring its photosynthetic organs are elevated during the active growth periods. Additionally, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which is a critical component of its survival strategy during dormant periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubus idaeus is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or subshrub. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent plant that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it displays significant variability in plant height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 3 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 1.42 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.42142857142857 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rubus idaeus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its reliance on the standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate woody species. As a non-carnivorous organism, it derives all necessary nutrients from the soil rather than through the capture of prey. The plant's leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 4.83 cm. Similarly, leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 10 cm, resulting in a mean width of 3 cm. These structural dimensions contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 246.95 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's strategy for balancing light interception and resource allocation within its habitat.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.83333333333333 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

246.95 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubus idaeus is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the plant's reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through July, featuring flowers that range in length from 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. Pollination is a biotic process, specifically utilizing an insect syndrome with bees acting as key pollinators. While self-fertilization is present, the plant relies on these biotic vectors to ensure successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops a fleshy, indehiscent fruit type classified as a drupe. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.055 cm (up to 1.4 cm) and a mean width of 1.1075 cm (up to 1.4 cm). Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0167 g (ranging from 0.00115 g to 0.002871 g) and a consistent mean volume of 1.8 mm³. The dispersal of the species is zoochorous, specifically employing an endozoochorous strategy, where the seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower length max:

2 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.055 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

1.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1075 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.002871 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0167451632857143 g

Seed mass min:

0.00115 g

Seed volume max:

1.8 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubus idaeus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. BioMed research international
2. Food & function

Chemicals

Rubus idaeus has 165 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ellagic acid, Anthocyanins, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Sanguiin H-6.

ellagic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Food & function
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
5. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Anthocyanins

1. Food & function
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Sanguiin H-6

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food & function
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Cyanidin 3-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Cyanidin 3-rutinoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Quercetin 3-glucuronide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Nutrients

Activities

Rubus idaeus has 706 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Cytotoxic, Diuretic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. PloS one
4. Acta biochimica Polonica
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Acta biochimica Polonica

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Rubus idaeus has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include common cold, kidney stones, Cervical cancer, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Helicobacter pylori.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations