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Similar Rubus, Rosaceae, Rubus niveus, Rubus hawaiensis, Rubus argutus | ||
Rubus ellipticus, commonly known as golden Himalayan raspberry, is an Asian species of thorny fruiting shrub in the rose family. It is native to China, Nepal, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, and the Philippines.
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Rubus ellipticus is sweet to the taste, though it is not commonly harvested for domestic use. The fruit perishes quickly after plucking from the thorny bush. This thorny plant produces thickets which are impossible to pass through, making it detrimental to native communities. The bark from this plant is used for medical reasons in Tibetan villages, mainly as a renal tonic and an antidiuretic. Its juices can also be used to treat coughs, fevers, colic and sore throat. The plant can also be used to make a bluish-purple dye.
The plant can be found in moist or wet forests, and have adapted to be able to live in complete shade and in full sun exposure. It was first introduced in the US in Hawaii as an edible fruit and as an ornamental plant.
It can regrow after fire and being cut down, because of its root system.
At one point Rubus ellipticus was reported to form root nodules and fix nitrogen in association with Frankia bacteria, but this has since been discounted.
Aiselu wine
Nepal farmers have had limited success in harvesting and fermenting the aiselu fruit to produce a fruit wine.
Invasive species - 100 worst
Rubus ellipticus is listed in the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group database as an Invasive species, one of the World's 100 worst invasive species.