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Rubia cordifolia, Linné. (11 Mungista, Roxburgh.)
From the Indian Highlands through China and Siberia to
Japan; also occurring in various parts of Africa, as far
south as Caffraria and Natal. This perennial plant produces
a kind of Madder. Probably otlier species yield likewise
dye-roots. The genus is represented widely over the globe,
but as far as known not in Australia.
Rubia peregrina, Linné.
Middle and Soutli Europe, South-West Asia. This perenmal
species yields also Madder-root. Several other kinds deserve
comparative test-culture.
Rubia tinctorum, Linné.
The Madder. Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A
perennial herb of extremely easy culture. Soil fit for Barley
suits also for Madder. Its culture opens any deep subsoil and
sufibcates weeds, but requires much manure, leaving however
then the land enriched. Any stagnant water in the soil
must be avoided, if Madder is to succeed. The harvest is in
the second or third year. I t can be raised from seeds or
planted from offshoots. The roots merely dried and pounded
form tbe dye. The chemical contents are numerous; in tlie
herb Rubicliloric and Rubitannic acid ; in the root—Alizarin,
Purpurin, Rubiacin, Rubian, Ruberythrin acid, and three
distinct resins; also Clilorogenin, Xanthin, and Rubichloric
acid. On the five first depend the pigments produced from
the root. Madder is one of the requisites for Alizarin Ink.
Rubus Canadensis, Linné.*
The Dewberry of North America. A shrub of trailing habit,
Fruit black, of excellent taste, ripening earlier than that of
R. villosus (Ait.), which constitutes the High Blackberry of
the United States, with large fruits.
Rubus Cbamæmorus, Linné.
The Cloudberry. North Europe, North Asia, North Amerioa,
particularly in the frigid zone. A perennial but herbaceous
plant; a pigmy amongst its congeners. Nevertheless it is
recommended for introduction to our spongy mossy alpine
moors, on account of its grateful amber-coloured or red fruit.
All the species can readily be raised from seeds. R. Articns
(L.), also with edible fruit, is in the high north usually ks
companion. Near to us we have a similar little herb, living
for a great part of the year in snow, namely R. Gunnianus
(Hook.). I t occurs on tbe alpine heights of Tasmania, from
whence it might be easily transferred to our snowy mountains
and those of New Zealand. Tbe fruit of R. Gunnianus is rod
and juicy, but not always well developed.
A dwarf shrub.
An erect shrub. Fruit
An exceedingly hand-
Rubus cuneifolius, Pursh.
The Sand-Blackberry. North America.
The fruit is of agreeable taste.
Rubus deliciosus, Toimey.
On tbe sources of the Missouri,
raspberry-like, large and grateful,
some species.
Rubus fruticosus, Linné.*
The ordinary Blackberry or Bramble. All Europe, North
and South Africa, Middle and Northern Asia. This shrub
bears well in our clime. In some countries it is a favourite
plant for hedges. I t likes above all calcareous soil, though it
is content with almost any, and deserves to be natui'alised on
the rivulets of our ranges. R. corylifolius (Sm.), R.
suberectus (Andr.) and R. leucostachys (Sm.) are varieties
like many other named kinds of European Blackberries, or
perhaps belong to the closely allied R. caesius (L.), the
English Dewberry; or in some instances hybrid forms may
have arisen from the two, although the generality of these
various Blackberry-bushes bear their fruit freely enough.
Rubus geoides. Smith.
Falkland Islands, Euegia, Patagonia and Chiloe. A herbaceous
kind of Raspberry-plant with greenish-yellow fruits,
resembling the Cloudberry, and of a very agreeable taste’.
Best adapted for our Alps.
Rubus Idaeus, Linné.*
The ordinary Raspberry. Europe, Northern and West Asia.
I t is mentioned here to point out the desirability of
naturalising the plant in our mountains and on river-banks.
I t would live also on our highest alps, where the native
Raspberry (R. parvifolius, L.) produces much finer fruits
than in our lowlands. The fruits contain Stereopten. Leaves
a substitute for tea.
Rubus lasiocarpus, Smith.
India, reaching in the Himalayas an elevation of 8000 feet
in Ceylon of 6000 feet. The black fruit is very palatable!
R. biflorus (Hamilton) ascends with R. rosifolius to 10,000
feet; its fruit either red or orange is sweet (J. D. Hooker).
Rubus macropetalus, Douglas.*
California and Oregon. An unisexual shrub. Fruit black
oval-cylindric, particularly sweet. ’
Rubus occidentalis, Linné.*
The Black Raspberry or Thimbleberry. North America. A
species with woody stems and nice fruits, with a glaucous
bloom, well flavoured and large. I t ripens early.
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