Rubus lineatus

Common Name:
Silky-leaved berry
Plant Type:
Deciduous shrub
Family:
Rosaceae (The Rose Family)
Geographic Origin:
China and Taiwan
California Native?:
No

Plant Size:
To 6 feet high
Landscape/Garden Uses:
shade gardens
Flowering Season:
Spring

Flower Color:
Cream
Exposure:
Sun or light shade
Soils:
Most soils

Suggested Irrigation:
Moderate watering
Estimated Hardiness:
Hardy to 10 degrees F. or less

Best known for the raspberry, blackberry and other fearsomely prickly, rampant shrubs with delicious fruit, this genus also includes some non-threatening and ornamental shrubs and herbs. Rubus lineatus suckers freely from the base, making a small thicket of arching, loosely branched stems to about 6 feet. The leaves are large and divided palmlike into five leaflets. These look more like an artist's rendering than the real thing, for they are closely lined for their full length by straight, parallel veins, separated by small teeth on the leaf margins. Both the younger stems and the undersurfaces of the leaves are covered with silky hairs. Flowers are small and white. The fruits, if set, should be red. This is a striking foliage shrub. Sun or shade near the coast, part shade inland, most soils, moderate watering.