Rubus racemosus


Rubus racemosus is a species of plant native to India. According to Plants of the World Online as of 2025, it occurs from the western Himalayas to south India. An alternative view is that it is endemic to the Western Ghats in south India.

Description

This species of Rubus is a shrub that can grow up to 4 m high. The stem is thorny with red stiff hair. The leaves are imparipinnate. It has 3 to 5 leaflets. The flowers are initially pink in color turning red after opening up fully. The flowers are racemose.

Taxonomy

William Roxburgh first described this species and named it after its bright raceme inflorescence.

Distribution

Rubus racemosus is native from the western Himalayas to southern India according to Plants of the World Online as of 2025. A 2019 paper states that it has been confused with Rubus niveus, and is endemic to the Western Ghats, where has been recorded from Silent Valley, Palani Hills and Nilgiris, thus confining its range to southern part of the Western Ghats. It was usually found at higher elevations of 1100 meters to 2300 meters near Shola forests, open lands and road sides.

Ecology

Rubus racemosus resembles Rubus niveus but can be differentiated by presence of red hairs on the stem, relatively larger flowers and absence of white coating on the stem. The flowering and fruiting season is from December to April.