Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 9, 2026

Rubus thibetanus

Rubus thibetanus, sometimes known as ghost bramble, is a deciduous species of bramble.

Last revised
Jul 9, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
402 w
Citations
13
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Rubus thibetanus
at the Botanical Garden in Berlin
(left to right) R. coreanus, R. thibetanus, R. corchorifolius1
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Subgenus: Rubus subg. Idaeobatus
Species:
R. thibetanus
Binomial name
Rubus thibetanus
Synonyms34

Rubus veitchii Rolfe

Rubus thibetanus, sometimes known as ghost bramble,5 is a deciduous species of bramble.

Description

Rubus thibetanus grows to 2–3 metres (6+1⁄2–10 feet) tall, with reddish-brown, cylindric branchlets, and sparse prickles. The leaves are pinnately compound and triangular overall, appearing rather fernlike. The flowers are white, emerging in June. In August it bears fruit, which are globular, purplish-black or dark red aggregate fruits ("berries"), 8–10 millimetres (5⁄16–3⁄8 in) in diameter.6

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to western China, where it is found in Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Xizang (Tibet) provinces at altitudes of 900–2,100 m (3,000–6,900 ft), usually in dry areas in ravines, thickets, ditches, and on the edges of forests.36

The Chinese name may be translated into English as Tibetan dewberry.7 In transcribed Chinese, it is called xu zang xuan gou zi.3

Uses

In cultivation in the UK, Rubus thibetanus has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.8

While some sources list the fruit as edible,9 the Royal Horticultural Society lists it as inedible.8

References

References

  1. photo from Watson, William, Climbing plants Publisher: London [etc.] : T.C. & E.C. Jack Language
  2.  R. thibetanus was originally described and published in Nouvelles archives du muséum d'histoire naturelle, sér. 2, viii. 1885 (1886) 221. "Plant Name Details for Rubus thibetanus". IPNI. Retrieved July 25, 2010. Notes: Tibet
  3. "Rubus thibetanus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  4.  In: Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, 1909 258. Royal Gardens, Kew. "Plant Name Details for Rubus veitchii". IPNI. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  5. Umberto Quattrocchi (1999). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. University of Palermo, Italy: CRC Press; Taylor & Francis group. ISBN 978-0-8493-2119-1.
  6. "Rubus thibetanus". Flora of China. eFloras. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  7. Flora of China page for Rubus thibetanus (cf. below), as read through Skweezer translate (Chinese to English)
  8. "Rubus thibetanus". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  9. "Rubus thibetanus PFAF Plant Database".
External links