Rubus ellipticus

Last updated

Rubus ellipticus
Shivapuri - Ainselu - Raspberry Yellow.jpg
Himalayan raspberry (Ainselu) fruit at Shivapuri National Park, Nepal
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Subgenus: R. subg. Idaeobatus
Species:
R. ellipticus
Binomial name
Rubus ellipticus
Varieties [1]
  • Rubus ellipticus var. ellipticus
  • Rubus ellipticus var. obcordatus (Franch.) Focke
Synonyms
Species [1]
  • Rubus tereticaulis subsp. ellipticus (Kupcsok) Domin
var. ellipticus [2]
  • Rubus ellipticus subsp. acheniger Focke
  • Rubus ellipticus f. acuminatus Franch.
  • Rubus ellipticus var. acutifolius Kuntze
  • Rubus ellipticus var. denudatus Hook.f.
  • Rubus ellipticus var. depilis Focke
  • Rubus ellipticus var. flavus (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Kuntze
  • Rubus ellipticus var. glabrifolius Kuntze
  • Rubus ellipticus var. incisus Kuntze
  • Rubus ellipticus var. insulanus Focke
  • Rubus flavus Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
  • Rubus gowreephul Roxb., not validly publ.
  • Rubus paniculatus Moon, not validly publ.
  • Rubus sessilifolius Miq. ex Hook.f.
var. obcordatus [3]
  • Rubus ellipticus f. obcordatus Franch.
  • Rubus obcordatus (Franch.) Thuan

Rubus ellipticus, commonly known as ainselu, [4] golden evergreen raspberry, [5] golden Himalayan raspberry, or yellow Himalayan raspberry, [6] is an Asian species of thorny fruiting shrub in the rose family. Its native range stretches from the Indian subcontinent (Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) to southern China and Indochina and the Philippines. [7]

Contents

Description

Ainselu (Golden Himalayan Raspberry) from Nepal Ainselu (Golden Himalayan Raspberry) from Nepal.jpg
Ainselu (Golden Himalayan Raspberry) from Nepal

The golden Himalayan raspberry is a large shrub with stout stems that can grow to up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) long. Its leaves are trifoliate, elliptic, or obovate and toothed with long bristles. Its leaves can grow 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) long. Its flowers are short, white, and have five petals and grow in clusters, and blooms in the Himalayas between the months of February and April. [7] On the slopes of Mount Gede, west of Java island, it can flower every three months, but its peak season is on April. [8] :194–195 Its fruit are sweet, detachable, and highly sought after by birds and elephants. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Rubus ellipticus is sweet to the taste, though it is not commonly harvested for domestic use. [13] The fruit perishes quickly after plucking from the thorny bush.

Taxonomy

It was first published and described by James Edward Smith in (A.Rees editted), Cycl. 30: n.° 16 in 1815. [7] [1]

Etymology

The fruit has various names in South-Asian languages. It is called ainselu (Nepali : ऐँसेलु) in Nepali, hisalu (Kumaoni: हिसालु) in Kumaoni, hisol (Garhwali: हिसोल) in Garhwali, nyinch (Nyishi: निंच) in Nyishi, and sohshiah (Khasi: सोहशियाह) in Khasi language.

Distribution and habitat

The golden Himalayan raspberry's origin is in the temperate Himalayas region, and is native to India, Pakistan, Nepal, southern China, Assam, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. [1]

It is found as a weed in open grasslands and rarely in forests of Himalayan states of India e.g. Himachal and Uttarakhand in their higher reaches at an attitude of 1,500 to 2,100 m (4,900 to 6,900 ft). [14] It is often found in pine forests of the region. [15]

The golden Himalayan raspberry can be found in mesic or wet forests, and have adapted to be able to live in complete shade and in full sun exposure. [11]

Ecology

As with other Rubus species, its seeds are readily distributed by birds. [16] It can propagate, or asexually reproduce, itself through cutting. [17] It can grow in open fields or in canopies of moist forests.

The Himalayan raspberry can support large populations of Drosophila , or fruit flies, from its rotting fruit. [10] The fruit is consumed by Asian elephants. [18]

Invasiveness

Rubus ellipticus flowers and leaves Starr 011205-0075 Rubus ellipticus.jpg
Rubus ellipticus flowers and leaves
Prickly stem of R. ellipticus Starr 011205-0067 Rubus ellipticus.jpg
Prickly stem of R. ellipticus

Rubus ellipticus is listed in the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group database as an Invasive species, one of the world's 100 worst invasive species. [10] It has been introduced into; Ecuador, Jamaica, Java, Malawi, Mozambique, New South Wales, Queensland (both in Australia) and Tanzania. [1] It was first introduced in 1961 in Hawaii as an edible fruit and as an ornamental plant. [11]

The yellow Himalayan raspberry poses a threat to native communities because it forms thick, impenetrable thickets, and competes with the native Rubus hawaiensis (Hawaiian raspberry). [10] [13] Abandoned farms and lands disturbed by feral pig populations are susceptible to invasion. It grows tall due to its stout stems which is a threat because of its ability to establish itself within the tree canopy. [12] The yellow Himalayan raspberry is a threat to native flora because it can outcompete other plants. More specifically, it has higher photosynthetic rates, higher nitrogen fixation rates, and therefore a higher photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (or PNUE). [17]

The yellow Himalayan raspberry is currently only invasive on Hawaii. [12] It is considered a noxious weed by the National Park Service and the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture. [16]

Control strategies

Due to its limited range, the golden Himalayan raspberry has been contained to a few stations on Hawaii. Any new populations are to be eliminated as quickly as possible. [16] Control practices at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have shown that simply identifying and removing the shrub can help dramatically reduce its invasive impact. [19]

To fully eliminate a yellow Himalayan raspberry shrub, its root systems must be pulled out. The shrub shoots out roots deep underground after a fire or cutting. Fire can be applied to the roots if the shrub has been removed by physical means. Herbicides such as glyphosate can be used in containing the shrub. [11]

Uses

Nepali farmers have had limited success in harvesting and fermenting the aiselu fruit to produce a fruit wine. [20] In Sikkim, its roots are used to treat stomach pain and headaches, and its fruits are used to treat indigestion. [21]

The bark from this plant is used for medical reasons in Tibetan villages, mainly as a renal tonic and an antidiuretic. [13] Its juices can be used to treat coughs, fevers, colic and sore throat. [5] The plant can be used to make a bluish-purple dye. [13]

The fruits of golden Himalayan raspberry was recorded as rich source of phenolics, Beta carotenes, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), many other important metabolites and antioxidants. [22] The leaves contain various helpful properties as well. [23] The fruit extracts of R. ellipticus contain antimicrobial properties (Ding et al. 2008). [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Rubus</i> Genus of plants in the rose family

Rubus is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, commonly known as brambles. Fruits of various species are known as raspberries, blackberries, dewberries, and bristleberries. It is a diverse genus, with the estimated number of Rubus species varying from 250 to over 1000, found across all continents except Antarctica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackberry</span> Fruit of Rubus species

The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus Rubus in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus Rubus, and hybrids between the subgenera Rubus and Idaeobatus. The taxonomy of blackberries has historically been confused because of hybridization and apomixis, so that species have often been grouped together and called species aggregates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberry</span> Edible fruit

The raspberry is the edible fruit of several plant species in the genus Rubus of the rose family, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus. The name also applies to these plants themselves. Raspberries are perennial with woody stems.

<i>Rubus idaeus</i> Red raspberry

Rubus idaeus is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.

<i>Rubus spectabilis</i> Plant species

Rubus spectabilis, the salmonberry, is a species of bramble in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the west coast of North America from west-central Alaska to California, inland as far as Idaho. Like many other species in the genus Rubus, the salmonberry plant bears edible fruit, typically yellow-orange or red in color, resembling raspberries in appearance.

<i>Rubus phoenicolasius</i> Berry and plant

Rubus phoenicolasius is an Asian species of raspberry in the rose family, native to China, Japan, and Korea.

<i>Rubus occidentalis</i> Berry and plant

Rubus occidentalis is a species of Rubus native to eastern North America. Its common name black raspberry is shared with other closely related species. Other names occasionally used include bear's eye blackberry, black cap, black cap raspberry, and scotch cap.

<i>Rubus parviflorus</i> Berry and plant

Rubus parviflorus, commonly called thimbleberry, is a species of Rubus native to northern temperate regions of North America. The plant has large hairy leaves and no thorns. It bears edible red fruit similar in appearance to a raspberry, but shorter, almost hemispherical. It has not been commercially developed for the retail berry market, but is cultivated for landscapes.

<i>Rubus leucodermis</i> Species of plant

Rubus leucodermis, also called whitebark raspberry, blackcap raspberry, or blue raspberry, is a species of Rubus native to western North America.

<i>Rubus niveus</i> Species of fruit and plant

Rubus niveus is a species of Rubus. The native range of this scrambling shrub stretches from Afghanistan to central China, down to Java and Indo-China. It grows primarily in temperate regions.

<i>Psidium cattleyanum</i> Species of tree

Psidium cattleyanum , commonly known as Cattley guava, strawberry guava or cherry guava, is a small tree in the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. The species is named in honour of English horticulturist William Cattley. Its genus name Psidium comes from the Latin psidion, or "armlet." The red-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. cattleyanum, is commonly known as purple guava, red cattley guava, red strawberry guava and red cherry guava. The yellow-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. littorale is variously known as yellow cattley guava, yellow strawberry guava, yellow cherry guava, lemon guava and in Hawaii as waiawī. Although P. cattleyanum has select economic uses, it is considered the most invasive plant in Hawaii.

<i>Rubus hawaiensis</i> Species of plant

Rubus hawaiensis, also called the ʻĀkala, is one of two species commonly known as Hawaiian raspberry, endemic to Hawaii. It is found on the islands of Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui, O'ahu, and Hawaiʻi in mesic to wet forest at elevations of 600–3,070 m (1,970–10,070 ft). In most areas it is not common, but in some places it can be a dominant member of the understory vegetation. Although superficially similar to the other Hawaiian species, Rubus macraei, the two are believed to be derived from separate dispersals to Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hosmer's Grove</span> Hiking trail in the state of Hawaii, United States

Hosmer's Grove is an example of experimental forestation from Hawaii's territorial days. Located just inside Haleakala National Park near the summit of Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii, it includes a campsite and several hiking trails. The grove is well known amongst birdwatchers due to the abundance of endemic honeycreepers at the site, including Iiwi, Apapane, Hawaii Amakihi, and the Maui Alauahio.

<i>Rubus armeniacus</i> Species of fruit and plant

Rubus armeniacus, the Himalayan blackberry or Armenian blackberry, is a species of Rubus in the blackberry group Rubus subgenus Rubus series Discolores Focke. It is native to Armenia and northern Iran, and widely invasive elsewhere. Both its scientific name and origin have been the subject of much confusion, with much of the literature referring to it as either Rubus procerus or Rubus discolor, and often mistakenly citing its origin as western European. Flora of North America, published in 2014, considers the taxonomy unsettled, and tentatively uses the older name Rubus bifrons.

<i>Rubus probus</i> Species of plant in the family Rosaceae

Rubus probus, commonly known as Atherton raspberry or wild raspberry, is a scrambling shrub in the family Rosaceae native to Malesia and Queensland.

<i>Rubus parvifolius</i> Species of flowering plant

Rubus parvifolius, called Japanese bramble, or Australian raspberry in the United States or native raspberry in Australia is a species of plant in the rose family. It is a scrambling shrub native to eastern Asia and Australia. It has also become naturalized in a few scattered locations in the United States.

<i>Rubus nepalensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Rubus nepalensis, the Himalayan creeping bramble or Nepalese raspberry, is a species of evergreen raspberry endemic to Nepal and Himalayan India. It grows to about 1m in diameter, with height up to 20 cm. The fruit is small, edible, and slightly sour.

<i>Rubus tricolor</i> Species of evergreen prostrate shrub native to southwestern China

Rubus tricolor is an evergreen prostrate shrub, native to southwestern China. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below, and stems have red bristles. It has white flowers in summer and edible red fruit. It grows approximately 0.3 m (0.98 ft) high and usually forming a vigorously spreading, dense mat. In cultivation, it is mainly used as groundcover. Common names include Chinese bramble, groundcover bramble, creeping bramble, Korean raspberry, Himalayan bramble, and groundcover raspberry. In Chinese, it is called 三色莓.

Rubus dorcheei is an Asian species of thorny fruiting shrub in Rosaceae family, first described in 2021. It is endemic to Nepal, found only in the subtropical forests of Kathmandu. The samples of the new plant were collected for the first time from Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park in 2018 at an altitude of 1,930m. The taxon is named after plant enthusiast La Dorchee Sherpa who first came across the plant. The published name was Rubus dorcheae, but as La Dorchee Sherpa is a man, the epithet was corrected to dorcheei.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rubus ellipticus Sm". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. "Rubus ellipticus var. ellipticus". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  3. "Rubus ellipticus var. obcordatus (Franch.) Focke". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  4. "Aiselu Wine: A Community Project in Nepal". Aiselu Wine: A Community Project in Nepal. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  5. 1 2 Fern, Ken. "Rubus ellipticus Sm. (Rosaceae)". Useful Tropical Plants Database. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. NRCS. "Rubus ellipticus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Rubus ellipticus Smith, 1815. 椭圆悬钩子 tuo yuan xuan gou zi". Flora of China.
  8. Muhammad Imam Surya; Wiguna Rahman (June 2012). "Flowering and fruiting phenology of Rubus spp. in Cibodas Botanical Garden, Indonesia". Agrivita. 34 (2): 193–197. doi:10.17503/agrivita.v34i2.111.
  9. Chen, Jin; et al. (2006). "Diet composition and foraging ecology of Asian elephants in Shangyong, Xishuangbanna, China". Acta Ecologica Sinica. 26 (2): 309–316. doi:10.1016/S1872-2032(06)60006-1.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Rubus ellipticus". Invasive Species Specialist Group. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Yellow Himalayan Raspberry". PCA Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. nps.org. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Stratton, Lisa (December 1996). The Impact and Spread of Rubus ellipticus in 'Ola'a Forest Tract Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Rubus ellipticus". Global Invasive Species Database. Invasive Species Specialist Group. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  14. Singh, Anurudh K (March 2017). "Revisiting the Status of Cultivated Plant Species Agrobiodiversity in India: An Overview". Proc Indian Natl Sci Acad. 83 (1): 151–174. doi: 10.16943/ptinsa/2016/v82/48406 .
  15. Negi, P.S. (2008). "Bio-diversity: A Vanishing Himalayan Splendour". Uttarakhand, Need for a Comprehensive Eco-strategy: 317–338.
  16. 1 2 3 Jacobi, James D.; Warshauer, Frederick R. (1992). Stone, Charles P.; Smith, Clifford W.; Tunison, J. Timothy (eds.). Distribution of six alien plant species in upland habitats on the island of Hawaii. University of Hawaii, Honolulu: Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit. pp. 155–188.
  17. 1 2 Funk, Jennifer L. (10 September 2008). "Differences in plasticity between invasive and native plants from a low resource environment". Journal of Ecology. 96 (6): 1162–1173. Bibcode:2008JEcol..96.1162F. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2008.01435.x. S2CID   84336174.
  18. Jin, Chen; Xiaobao, Deng; Ling, Zhang; Zhilin, Bai (February 2006). "Diet composition and foraging ecology of Asian elephants in Shangyong, Xishuangbanna, China". Acta Ecologica Sinica. 26 (2): 309–316. doi:10.1016/S1872-2032(06)60006-1.
  19. Tunison, J. Timothy; Stone, Charles P. (1992). Special ecological areas: an approach to alien plant control in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems of Hawai'i: management and research. pp. 781–798.
  20. Dahal, S. "Making of Nepali Wine". Nepali Times. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  21. Pradhan, Bharat K; Badola, Hemant K (1 October 2008). "Ethnomedicinal plant use by Lepcha tribe of Dzongu valley, bordering Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, in North Sikkim, India". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 4: 22. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-4-22 . PMC   2567294 . PMID   18826658.
  22. Badhani, Amit; Rawat, Sandeep; Bhatt, Indra D.; Rawal, Ranbeer S. (29 July 2015). "Variation in chemical constituents and antioxidant activity in Yellow Himalayan (Rubus ellipticus Smith) and hill raspberry (Rubus niveus Thunb.)". Journal of Food Biochemistry. 39: 667–672. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.12172 .
  23. George, B.P.; Parimelazhagan, T.; Saravanan, S. (2013). "Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Rubus ellipticus smith. leaf methanol extract". International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 5 (2): 220–224.
  24. Ding, J.; Wu, K.; Zhang, J. (2008). "Preliminary exploration for natural enemies of Rubus ellipticus in China" . Retrieved 22 September 2021.