Rubus ellipticus: The Yellow Himalayan Raspberry

Rubus ellipticus commonly known as the Yellow Himalayan Raspberry or Golden evergreen Raspberry, is a wild berry variety. it is golden in color plump fruit, oval to conical in shape edible berry. The plant Rubus ellipticus or golden Himalayan Raspberry is a shrub having tiny dense prickles on the whole.

The Rubus ellipticus is native to the Indian subcontinent, the Philippines, and Southern China. It is also distributed in Shrilanka, Thailand, as well as the central coast of Australia. The other common names of Rubus ellipticus are Golden  Himalyan Ruspberry, yellow Himalyan Ruspberry, golden evergreen raspberry, and Himalyan Ruspberry.

The Rubus ellipticus plant is an evergreen climbing shrub 1-3 meters tall, biennial stems form a woody rootstock. The plant can rapidly grow tall and dense.

Stem of Rubus ellipticus

The stems of Rubus ellipticus are very thick and strong. The stem of Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry is covered with dense prickles and with brown bristled hair. In The first year of stem growth, the stem only forms leaves. In the second year of growth, the Himalayan Raspberry plant started growing flowering stems.

Stem of Rubus ellipticus

Leaves of Rubus ellipticus

The leaves of Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry are of three follicles, round in shape, and dense prickles are also there in the leaf part. The stalk which attaches the leaf blade to the stem is 2-6 cm in measurement. The terminal leaflets are larger than the lateral leaflets.

Leaves of Rubus ellipticus

Flower of Rubus ellipticus

The flower of Rubus ellipticus looks like a cluster of flowers. Flowers are small in size and are several in one bunch 10 or more, rarely single flower is seen. The Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry flower is white in color and has small flower petals.

The flowers are 1-1.5cm in diameter, having both male and female parts in a flower. the petals of the Rubus ellipticus flower are longer than the sepals. flower of Himalayan Raspberry blooms from March to April.

Flower of Rubus ellipticus
Pic Credit :- indiabiodiversity.org

Fruit of Rubus ellipticus

The Rubus ellipticus fruit is golden in color, and subglobose with 1 -1.5 cm in diameter. Fruiting of raspberry occurs from April to May. The Rubus ellipticus fruit when we see very closely looks like tiny pockets filled with juice and very tiny hair popping out of pockets. These tiny hairs are not sharp and are very tiny we even do not notice them at a random look at a raspberry.

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Seeds of Rubus ellipticus

The seeds of Rubus ellipticus are inside the fruit part. The seeds of the Rubus ellipticus are very tiny. One fruit contains many seeds inside it. when we eat fruit part of Rubus ellipticus fruit the feeling of crunch comes to that crunch is because of the tiny seeds inside the himalyan raspberry fruit. The seeds of Rubus ellipticus are propagated by birds, the seeds remain viable following the passage through the digestive system of birds and mammals and grow undisturbed in sites where they are deposited.

Root Part of Rubus ellipticus

The root part of the Rubus ellipticus is a longitudinal root in the soil. the roots spread and grow new shrub stems. The root spread quickly. if the whole stem gets burned or cut, but the root part is there then the chances of new stem growth is 90 percent. 

Conditions for Rubus ellipticus plant  to grow

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It grows in open sunny areas and also in dense rainforests, very suitable condition is moist forest in the high altitude forest of the Himalayan region. it grows along highways, dry slopes, hillsides, mountain valleys, sparse forests, and at elevations from  1000 -2300 meters above sea level. The Himalayan Ruspbeery is seen in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, East Asia, and Southern China.

The Himalayan Ruspbeery can tolerate different habitats from sunny temperatures to frost to tropical areas. In native South and East Asia, it is often found at sparsely colonized low-rainfall sites. It is also able to resprout after a fire.

How we can grow and harvest Himalayan raspberries?

Himalayan raspberries

The Himalayan raspberry is a very easy-to-grow plant. In its suitable condition, it makes roots faster and grow. Steps to grow Himalayan rubbery.

Seed availability

There are seeds of Himalayan raspberry nowadays available in the market. If we have a golden raspberry then we can extract its seeds from the fruit part, the seed of a Himalayan raspberry is very tiny and one fruit/berry contains many seeds inside it. we have to take a tiny plucker and have to pluck out the tiny seeds from the fruit part and collect the seeds of the Himalayan raspberry.

Seed sowing

Before seed sowing, we have to slightly wet the soil so that the seed germination process starts. We have a dip of finger into the soil put the seeds into the soil, cover the seed part with soil, and continue watering the area on alternate days till the plant sprouts out of the soil. sometimes it is difficult to extract seeds and the seed-sowing process may fail, in this case, we can bring a plant of Himalayan raspberry.

Planting young plant

if seeds are not available then we can plant Himalayan raspberry shrubs by bringing already newly grown Himalayan raspberry small plants from its naturally grown area. Normally the newly grown plants are commonly seen side-wise wise the older Himalayan raspberry shrub. we have to just pluck up the plant with root part and plant it in our garden. after plantation, regular watering is very necessary until the new plant shows growth.

Growth phase of Himalayan raspberry

After the plantation, it grows by itself. first year only for new shoots, after full growth in its second year it grows new shoots that bear flowers.

Pollination

The Himalayan raspberry grows a large amount of small tiny flowers and flowers contain both male and female part in it. The Himalayan raspberry is a self-pollinated raspberry variety.

Fruit-bearing

The flower of the Himalayan raspberry forms fruit after pollination ends. The fruit Himalayan raspberry primary you cannot distinguish between the flowers of the fruit because the fruit part is covered by green leafy sepals, with the passage of time first the fruit appears yellowish ( at this time the fruit is citrus in taste ) after the end of April and early May month the fruit starts to change color to golden shiny and filled with juice.

Harvesting

When the fruit becomes filled with juice shiny golden in color and sweeter. it is the time of harvesting of golden evergreen Himalayan raspberry.  you have to just pluck the berry from the stem, it is very easy, and no force is needed to pluck the berry. The berry looks like a tiny empty bowl shape, but has juice-filled small lobules. Enjoy your delicious Himalayan raspberry little sour and sweet taste with the crunch of seeds.

You can also watch video content of Rubus ellipticus

What is the medical use of Rubus ellipticus?

The Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry parts are used in many countries for medical purposes. The leaves, fruits, and roots of the plant are used to treat a variety of conditions nausea, and bronchitis. The root bark of Himalayan Raspberry is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and fractured bones.

The root of the plant is sometimes chewed to soothe stomach discomfort. The root boiled water is used to warm the stomach. The fruit part of the Rubus ellipticus plant is good for diabetic patients because it has a very low amount and natural sugar, slightly acidic in taste. The Raspberry fruit is rich in carbohydrates and several minor and macro nutrients.

What is golden Rubus ellipticus used for?

What is golden Rubus ellipticus used for

The golden Ruspbeery is a wild variety of Ruspbeery, you can also plant it in home gardens. It is grown for decorative, or ornamental purposes by some people and gives you raspberry fruits. In many countries Himalayan raspberry is harvested on a large scale it is a method of economical stability for many people.

There is a large demand for Rubus ellipticus jams, juices, wines, dried berries, and creams for their nutritious nature and sweet taste. Countries like Nepal, and Tibet use the Himalayan Ruspbeery plant for medicinal purposes, In Nepal all parts of the Himalayan Ruspbeery plant from leaves, fruit, and stem to roots are used in different methods to cure a variety of conditions like fever, cough, cold, bronchitis, stomach problems.

Is there a difference between Golden Raspberry and Himalayan raspberry?

There are many commercial varieties of Raspberries like red, Black, and yellow raspberries but naturally occurring wild berries which are grown in the Himalyan region of Asia and some other countries are called Himalyan raspberry. The Himalayan raspberry fruit is golden and shiny in color when it ripens and is also called golden raspberry.

There are other names for Himalayan raspberry like evergreen golden raspberry, Himalayan golden raspberry, and Himalayan evergreen raspberry. Yellow raspberries are different from golden ones. The golden Himalayan raspberries are grown and seen only in Himalayan parts and are golden shiny bright colored.

Is Himalayan Raspberry edible?

Yes, Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry are edible. Rubus ellipticus raspberries are edible Raspberries they are sweeter in taste and a little crunchy because of the tiny seeds inside the fruit. The Himalayan raspberries are very popular for nutrient-rich juices, jams, wines, and dried berries. These berries are also used in cakes, pastries, also to make jellies.

Benefits of Rubus ellipticus or Himalayan Raspberry?

Rubus ellipticus fruit or Himalayan Raspberry fruit

The Himalayan raspberry is very beneficial in many ways. The Himalayan raspberry has health benefits, commercial benefits, Ornamental benefits, and many other benefits.

Health Benefits of Himalayan Raspberry

The Himalayan raspberries are used in many countries for curing different health conditions like fever, stomach disturbance, common cold, and cough relaxants. The Himalayan raspberry is rich in micro and macronutrients, it contains vitamin C which helps in maintaining immunity. The paste of roots is applied externally in the wound to help in wound healing and act as an antiseptic.

The leaf bud combined with सेंटेला एशियाटिक and Cynodon dactylon is pounded to a juice and used in the treatment of peptic ulcer. the inner bark is used in Tibetan culture as medicine as it helps in relieving cold. the boiled water of the root part is taken as a tea in winter to cure sore throat, cold, and fever.

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Commercial benefits

The Himalayan raspberry is a very rare barrier and needs certain climatic conditions and is limited to some counties making this fruit expensive. people are curious about wild berries and their taste and health benefits. the Himalayan raspberry was grown in Florida, California as a fruit crop under the name of golden evergreen raspberry.

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Ornamental benefits

The Himalayan raspberry is also used for ornamental purposes in gardens, the Himalayan raspberry is thought to be widely grown as an ornamental in warm regions.

Risk of growing himalyan Ruspberries?

Rubus ellipticus plant: The Yellow Himalayan Raspberry plant

The Himalayan raspberry is normally beneficial, its fruit, leaves, and roots are very beneficial for health, but here are some risk factors of growing Himalayan raspberry.

Overgrowth – The Himalayan raspberry plant is a shrub but naturally large, it spreads so fast and growth is also very rapid its root spreads and forms a new shoot.

Spikes – The wild Himalayan raspberry has spikes in the whole plant part, the stem parts have curved spikes and the leaves contain tiny sharp spikes.

Tough Fruit Harvesting – fruit harvesting is time time-consuming process because of the small size of barriers and the spikes in plants make it difficult to harvest berries.

May kill other natural habitat plants – the overspreading of Himalayan raspberry shrub may cause difficulty to other habitat plants in particular areas. Because of its spikes sometimes it is not suitable to grow in the garden and also in a forest.

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