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Wineberry

Rubus phoenicolasius

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous shrub
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
2 metres tall
Habitats:
Disturbed ground, gardens, grassland, hedgerows, roadsides, scrub, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Pink, 5 petals
 
Wineberry produces small, star-shaped flowers that are typically pale pink to whitish, blooming in early to mid-summer (June to July). Each flower has five delicate petals and a prominent central cluster of stamens. Though not particularly showy, the flowers appear in loose, bristly clusters and are visited by bees and other pollinators. The sepals and flower stalks are covered in fine, sticky red hairs, giving the buds a glittering, glandular appearance even before the fruit forms.
Fruit:
The fruit is a standout feature: bright, translucent red berries that resemble raspberries in structure but are glossier and often considered more flavourful. Each drupelet cluster is juicy, sweet-tart, and slightly sticky due to the glandular hairs. The berries ripen from late July into August. When ripe, the fruit pulls easily from the receptacle, leaving a hollow centre like raspberries. Wineberries are popular for fresh eating, jams, and desserts and are prized by foragers for both taste and visual appeal.
Leaves:
The leaves are trifoliate, consisting of three leaflets with serrated edges. The upper surfaces are bright green, while the undersides are densely covered in white woolly hairs. In autumn, the foliage may turn soft shades of yellow and red. The red, bristly stems and the woolly undersides help distinguish Wineberry from other brambles. The plant is deciduous and forms arching, fast-growing canes.
Fragrance:
The flowers have a very faint floral scent, not generally noticeable without close inspection. The fruit, however, has a sweet, slightly wine-like aroma when fully ripe, which is where the name "Wineberry" originates. Crushed leaves smell green and mildly herbaceous.
Other Names:
Dewberry, Japanese Climbing Bramble, Japanese Wineberry, Wine Raspberry.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Rubus phoenicolasius, also known as the wineberry or Japanese wineberry, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is native to eastern Asia and is known for its red, edible berries that are often used in jams, jellies, and other culinary applications. The plant is considered invasive in some parts of the world, including the United States.

Blog

Wineberry: A Delicious and Nutritious Berry for Your Garden

Wineberry, scientifically known as Rubus phoenicolasius, is a deciduous shrub native to Japan and China. This plant produces edible berries that are renowned for their sweet and tart flavor, which makes them a perfect ingredient in various recipes, such as jams, jellies, and desserts. The berry is also packed with a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.

Wineberry is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types, and it thrives in partial shade to full sun. This makes it an excellent option for gardeners who want to add a berry-producing plant to their landscape without having to worry about ideal growing conditions. The plant has green leaves that are soft to the touch and attractive to the eye, making it a great ornamental addition to your garden.

The Wineberry plant is propagated through its rhizomes, which can be easily divided and replanted. Once established, it will produce fruit in 3-5 years and will continue to produce for many years to come. The berries are ready for harvest in mid-summer and can be picked by hand or with a berry picker. They are a great option for those who want to have fresh fruit readily available for consumption, or for those who want to sell their produce at local farmers markets.

In addition to being a delicious and nutritious berry, Wineberry also has many health benefits. The berries are a rich source of vitamins C, A, and E, as well as minerals like calcium and iron. They are also high in antioxidants, which can help protect the body against cellular damage and support a healthy immune system. These berries also contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Wineberry is a great addition to your garden for its delicious flavor and its numerous health benefits. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Wineberry is an easy plant to grow and a great way to get fresh fruit right from your own backyard. Try planting some Wineberries today and start enjoying the many benefits of this amazing berry!

Another benefit of growing Wineberries is that they are a great source of food for wildlife, especially birds. The shrubs provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife, and the berries are a valuable food source for many species of birds, including thrushes, robins, and waxwings.

Wineberries are also very easy to care for and maintain. They are resistant to most pests and diseases and require little to no pruning. However, it is important to keep an eye on the plant and remove any dead or diseased branches to promote healthy growth. Wineberries are also tolerant of drought and heavy rainfall, making them a great option for gardeners in regions with unpredictable weather patterns.

In terms of harvesting Wineberries, it is important to pick them at the right time. They should be picked when they are fully ripe and have a deep red color. Overripe berries will be soft and lose their flavor, while underripe berries will be tart and not as sweet. To store Wineberries, simply place them in a plastic container or bag and store them in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a week when stored properly.

Another great way to enjoy Wineberries is to make them into jams, jellies, or other preserved foods. These products are easy to make and can be stored for a long time, making them a great way to enjoy the fruit throughout the year. Wineberry jam is a popular option and is easy to make by boiling the berries with sugar and lemon juice. You can also make Wineberry syrup or Wineberry pie, which are both delicious and easy to make.

In conclusion, Wineberry is a fantastic berry that is easy to grow, delicious to eat, and beneficial for both humans and wildlife. If you are looking for a berry-producing shrub for your garden, Wineberry is a great option that is sure to bring you many years of enjoyment.

In addition to the health benefits and culinary uses, Wineberries also have a cultural significance in some regions. In Japan, Wineberries have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as digestive issues, skin problems, and respiratory conditions. The plant's roots and leaves were also used to make tea, which was believed to have a calming effect and improve overall health.

Wineberries have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their medicinal properties. The berries were believed to boost energy, improve circulation, and support the immune system. They were also used to treat digestive problems, respiratory conditions, and skin issues.

In recent years, Wineberries have gained popularity in the Western world, as more people are becoming aware of the health benefits of these delicious berries. They are now widely available in specialty food stores, farmers markets, and online, making it easier for people to incorporate them into their diets.

Wineberries are also a popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry, as they are rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that can help improve the health and appearance of the skin. Products such as Wineberry face masks and Wineberry-infused skincare products are becoming increasingly popular, as they are believed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the complexion, and protect the skin from environmental damage.

In conclusion, Wineberries are a versatile and nutritious berry that have a rich cultural and medicinal history. Whether you are looking to enjoy the delicious flavor of Wineberries, improve your health, or enhance your beauty routine, this amazing berry is a great choice.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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