Herb: Arctic Bramble


Latin name: Rubus arcticus


Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)



Edible parts of Arctic Bramble:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very sweet, juicy and palatable with a pineapple-like aroma. Delicious when eaten out of hand, they are also used in making cakes, jams etc. Unfortunately, they are often not produced very prolifically in a garden situation in Britain, probably because they prefer colder winters. Flowers - raw. Sweet and delicious. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
June
to July

Habitat of the herb:

Damp peats or gravels, especially on calcareous soils.

Other uses of Arctic Bramble:

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°C and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation of Arctic Bramble:

Damp peats or gravels, especially on calcareous soils.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Rubus arcticus:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.