ATHERTON RASPBERRY
(Rubus fraxinifolius)
A bush of atherton raspberry
Family: Rosaceae
Synonyms: Rubus probus
Other names: Pinit
Atherton raspberry is a tropical raspberry. It is believed to have originated in the highlands of far North Queensland in Australia. This fruits are of very good quality.
This fruit is cultivated in Australia on a limited scale.
Description:
An erect evergreen shrub upto 2 m; branchlets unarmed.
Ripe fruits of atherton raspberry
Leaves imparipinnate, 5–7-foliolate, rarely 3-foliolate; petiole 2–5 cm, grooved, petiolule of terminal leaflet much longer than those of lateral leaflets, petiolule of lateral leaflets to 5 mm, petiolule and rachis soft hairy; stipules linear, to 1.2 cm; blade of leaflets elliptic to oblong, 3–10 × 2–4 cm, terminal leaflet usually larger than lateral leaflets, lateral veins 10–15 pairs, midvein and lateral veins prominent abaxially, impressed adaxially, abaxially sparsely hairy along veins, adaxially sparsely hairy along midvein, base rounded to slightly cordate, of lateral leaflets often oblique, margin serrate, apex acute to acuminate.
Leaves of atherton raspberry
Inflorescences usually terminal, cymose panicles, to 14 cm; rachis, pedicels, and bracts often glabrous; bracts lanceolate to oblong, divided at apex. Pedicel 1–3 cm. Sepals triangular-ovate, 6–10 mm, abaxially glabrous except margin tomentose, apex narrowly acute. Petals white, orbicular, 7–12 mm, glabrous. Stamens and pistils many, glabrous.
Fruit aggregate, red at maturity, globose to ellipsoid, 0.8–1.4 cm.
Utilization:
Pinit fruits are quite tasty and very good for eating fresh. These can also be used as an addition to fruit salads, ice cream and Syrup. The fruits can also be made into jam.
A family enjoying etherton raspberry fruits
Cultivation:
Most pinit bushes grow wild. But some people are also growing this fruit in their gardens in Australia and sell it in small containers as done in case of blueberries.
New plants can be raised from seeds or by cuttings. The rooted suckers can also be collected and planted.
Pinit bush has a habit of extending its area by forming suckers which might be a nuisance under some situations. So these unwanted suckers have to be removed regularly from time to time to keep the growth under control.
Pinit is a good bearer and a single plant can yield upto 3 kg fruits.
Pinit should be promoted as a new orchard fruit. There is considerable variation in fruit size and quality among wild plants. So there exists ample scope for the selection of superior clones too.