North Island tātarāmoa
Rubus schmidelioides var. schmidelioides | North Island tātarāmoa, bush lawyer, white-leaved lawyer
A captivating, prickly climbing endemic vine its stems and twigs are armed with backwards-pointing prickles that enable it to ascend nearby shrubs and trees. Found in lowland and montane forests and adjacent shrublands. It produces attractive cream-white flowers in long panicles during spring followed by yellow/orange berries. This dioecious vine thrives in well-drained loamy soil, in sun or semi-shade, typically reaching 3m in height and spread.
typical habitat.
coastal scrub
coastal forest
lowland forest
montane forest
scrubland
drainage.
moist
well drained
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 3m
width | 3m
pollinators calendar.
flowering | September - November
fruiting | December - April
did you know?
The fruit of Rubus is edible, consumed raw or cooked, and often used in cordials. Traditionally, it served as a natural dye and was employed medicinally to "tonify the gut," treat respiratory issues and coughs, alleviate toothache and in steam baths with other native plants to treat rheumatism.