Rubus glaucus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rubus glaucus |
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Rubus
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glaucus
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The Rubus glaucus, often called the Andean raspberry or mora de Castilla, is a type of blackberry. You can find it in many parts of Latin America. This includes countries from Mexico all the way down to Bolivia. It grows especially well in the northern and central Andes mountains.
This fruit tastes a bit like a loganberry. It is used in similar ways too.
Contents
What is the Andean Raspberry Plant Like?
The Andean raspberry plant is a type of shrub. It belongs to the rose family. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for many years. It grows as a semi-erect climbing shrub.
The plant has several round stems. These stems have small spines. They are about 1 to 2 centimeters (about half an inch) thick. These stems can grow up to 3 meters (almost 10 feet) tall.
The leaves of the plant are special. They have three leaflets, so we call them trifoliate. Their edges are serrated, meaning they look like tiny saw teeth. The top of the leaves is dark green. The underside is white. Both the stems and leaves often have a white, powdery coating.
The Delicious Andean Raspberry Fruit
The fruit itself is an oval-shaped berry. It is a compound drupe, which means it is made of many tiny, juicy parts. Each fruit is about 15 to 25 millimeters (about 1 inch) wide. It usually weighs between 3 and 5 grams.
When the fruit first forms, it is green. As it ripens, it turns red. Finally, it becomes a dark, shiny purple color. The small, juicy parts of the fruit stay attached to the center when ripe.
Andean raspberries are very healthy. They are rich in vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. They have a sweet and slightly tart taste. People use them to make many yummy things. These include juices, nectars, jams, jellies, and ice cream. They are also great in pastries and other sweets.
How the Andean Raspberry Grows
This plant grows best in certain conditions. It likes temperatures between 12 and 19 degrees Celsius (54-66°F). It also needs high humidity, around 80 to 90 percent. Lots of sunshine helps it grow well. It needs a good amount of rain, about 800 to 2,500 millimeters (31-98 inches) per year. The rain should be spread out evenly through the year.
The Andean raspberry is originally from the tropical highlands. These are high-altitude areas in northwestern South America and Central America. It prefers to grow at elevations between 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) and 3,100 meters (about 10,000 feet). For example, in Costa Rica, it is found high up in the Cordillera de Talamanca mountains. It also grows in the Central Volcanic Cordillera.
Life Cycle and Fruit Production
Andean raspberry plants start producing fruit after their first year. Once they begin, they keep producing fruit continuously. They usually have two main times of the year when they produce the most fruit.
These plants can live for a long time. They can keep producing fruit for 12 to 20 years!
Other Similar Berries
Here are some other types of Rubus plants that are similar to the Andean raspberry:
- Rubus adenotrichos (wild blackberry)
- Rubus bogotensis (black mulberry)
- Rubus giganteus (cat blackberry or Moor blackberry)
- Rubus megalococcus (small mora)
- Rubus nubigenus (large mora)
See also
In Spanish: Mora o zarzamora andina para niños
