Rubus neomexicanus

Rubus neomexicanus Gray

by Patty Latimer, Native Plants of Arizona 2005

Common names: New Mexico raspberry

Family: Rosaceae (1)

Synonymy: Oreobatus deliciosus (James ex Torr.) Rybd. ssp. neomexicanus (Gray) W.A. Weber, Rubus exrubicundus Bailey (1).

Etymology: Rubus from the Latin word ruber meaning “red” referring to the fruit; neomexicanus meaning of or from New Mexico (2).

Identification

Growth form: Unarmed shrub, 1 –2 m tall (3).
Roots:

Stem: Slender and glabrous, old bark tends to flake off (3).

Leaves: Simple, shallowly 3 - 5 lobed, round, 2 – 6 cm, with irregular margins, softly pubescent (3).

Inflorescence/flowers: Flowers found singly or in pairs, petals 5, white, 5 cm across, rounded at apex (3).

Fruit: Berry, red, 15 mm thick (3).

Similar species: Could be confused with Rubus parviflorus but R. neomexicanus has smaller leaves and a bigger overall growth habit.

Ecology

Life history: Shrub with stems that persist for many years.

Native/introduced: Native

Photosynthetic pathway:

Phenology: May – September (3).

Distribution: Found in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. In Arizona, found in Coconino and Yavapai counties, 5000 – 9000 ft in moist canyons (3).

Uses

The fruits of R. neomexicanus are edible and can be eaten raw or made into jelly or jam. Also, wild animals and birds relish the berries (5).

References

1. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

2. Charters, M. 2005. California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations. (http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/index.html) Sierra Madre, CA. USA.

3. McDougall, W. B. 1973. Seed Plants of Northern Arizona. The Museum of Northern Arizona. Flagstaff, AZ

4. Vines, R.A. 1976. Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest. Texas Press. Austin, TX.

5. Kearney, T.H. et al. 1973. Arizona Flora. University of California Press. Berkley, CA.

Rubus neomexicanus Gray by Patty Latimer, Native Plants of Arizona 2005 Common names: New Mexico raspberry Family: Rosaceae (1) Synonymy: Oreobatus deliciosus (James ex Torr.) Rybd. ssp. neomexicanus (Gray) W.A. Weber, Rubus exrubicundus Bailey (1). Etymology: Rubus from the Latin word ruber meaning “red” referring to the fruit; neomexicanus meaning of or from New Mexico (2). Identification Growth form: Unarmed shrub, 1 –2 m tall (3). Roots: Stem: Slender and glabrous, old bark tends to flake off (3). Leaves: Simple, shallowly 3 - 5 lobed, round, 2 – 6 cm, with irregular margins, softly pubescent (3). Inflorescence/flowers: Flowers found singly or in pairs, petals 5, white, 5 cm across, rounded at apex (3). Fruit: Berry, red, 15 mm thick (3). Similar species: Could be confused with Rubus parviflorus but R. neomexicanus has smaller leaves and a bigger overall growth habit. Ecology Life history: Shrub with stems that persist for many years. Native/introduced: Native Photosynthetic pathway: Phenology: May – September (3). Distribution: Found in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. In Arizona, found in Coconino and Yavapai counties, 5000 – 9000 ft in moist canyons (3). Uses The fruits of R. neomexicanus are edible and can be eaten raw or made into jelly or jam. Also, wild animals and birds relish the berries (5). References 1. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. 2. Charters, M. 2005. California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations. (http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/index.html) Sierra Madre, CA. USA. 3. McDougall, W. B. 1973. Seed Plants of Northern Arizona. The Museum of Northern Arizona. Flagstaff, AZ 4. Vines, R.A. 1976. Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest. Texas Press. Austin, TX. 5. Kearney, T.H. et al. 1973. Arizona Flora. University of California Press. Berkley, CA.