Rubus leucodermis

The blue raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) is a member of the genus rubus and the Rosaceae family.

Features

The blue raspberry grows straight to a height of 2 to 3 m. New stems and cuttings of the plant have a silvery-white pubosity. Stems, cuttings and leaves show hooked spines. The plant has whitish flowers and sometimes pinkish purple, produces red fruits, which at full maturity turn dark blue covered by the same hair as the stems.

Distribution

It grows in forest clearings and valleys in western North America, from Alaska, Canada to Mexico in different regional varieties.

Systematic

The recognized varieties are:

• Rubus leucodermis var bernadinus Jepson
• Rubus leucodermis var trinitatis Berger

Use

Blue raspberry shows high contents of anthocyanin and ellagic acid. The tasty sweet and sour and edible fruits are also used in the traditional popular medicine of the indigenous tribes against chronic inflammations, flu and skin lesions (external and oral).

According to studies by medical schools in Japan and universities in the United States, the combination of anthocyanin (the blue pigment), fiber and ellagic acid (as ellagitannin in the plant) would have positive effects in prevention and treatment of several types of cancer in the near future. (Patent application 20050136141 dated June 23, 2005, USPTO, Prof. Gary Stoner, Ohio State University).

Taxonomy Rubus leukodermis was described by Douglas Ex Torr. & AMP; A.gray and published in a Flora of North America: Containing ... 1 (3): 454. 1840.

Etymology

See: Rubus

leukodermis : Latíno epithet that means clear skin.