Faul Preserve | Rubus neomexicanus | New Mexico raspberry

Botanical Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Rubus neomexicanus

Common Names: New Mexico raspberry

Botanical Description:

Rubus neomexicanus is a deciduous, woody shrub or subshrub, typically growing 1-3 meters in height (1,2). The stems are erect, unarmed (lacking spines or thorns), sparsely to moderately pubescent, with shedding or peeling, brown bark (1,2,3). The shiny, green leaves are 4-9 cm long by 5-9 cm wide, palmately lobed (3-5 lobes) with irregularly serrate to dentate margins (1,3). The upper and lower leaf surfaces are pubescent, with the lower side being slightly less hairy than the upper side (1,3). The showy, 5-merous flowers have distinct 11-33 mm long white, rounded petals, green sepals, and appear singly or occasionally in pairs, on short terminal branches, or in leaf axils, on the second year’s growth, from April to September (1,2,3). After pollination by insects, the flowers produce hemispheric, aggregate fruits of 20 drupelets, which are glabrous, red in color, and about 1-2 cm in size (1,3). The small, fleshy fruits quickly become dry (1,3). While sometimes confused with its similar, unarmed relative Rubus parviflorous, Rubus neomexicanus is distinguished by the smaller leaves, hairy styles, drupelets lacking the pubescent cushions, and unpalatable fruit (1,2,3).

Ecological Significance:

Rubus neomexicanus occurs in forested and riparian areas, on mountain slopes, and in canyons, from 5000 to 9000 feet elevation, and prefers a moderate supply of moisture (2,3,4). Although information regarding use of this species by wildlife as food or shelter is limited, the fruits of most Rubus spp. are generally a source of food for a variety of small birds and mammals, and the brambles can provide shelter and nesting sites (5).

Ethnobotanical Value:

Ethnobotanical uses are unknown for this species; fruits are miniscule and not very palatable, but can be eaten raw or cooked (1,3,4).

Distribution:

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

Photos (click for attribution):

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