Botanical name:

Rubus squarrosus

Common name(s):

Leafless lawyer, yellow-prickled lawyer

About:

A vigorous and sparsely foliaged climber that can be found throughout the diverse landscapes of New Zealand, this plant is particularly notable for its beautiful and typical white flowers that bloom each spring. It is distinctive and easily recognisable because of the yellow prickles that arise prominently along its leaf stalks and midribs. This species can be propagated effectively through both the sowing of seeds or by taking cuttings, making it a versatile choice for gardeners and horticulturists alike.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane. Usually in open areas, particularly in dune-field, grey scrub and other shrub-land, open forest, river beds, cliff faces, or on talus and boulder slopes.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Coastal, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands, from Ahipara south (scarce north of the Manawatu) and with the exception of Northland mainly easterly.

Height: 3m

Flowering: 

October – December with a cream - white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

February  – March with a orange-red coloured fruit that looks similar to a raspberry

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from layered stems and semi-hardwood cuttings. An unusual and oddly attractive plant which does well in open, free draining soils, rockeries and also in places where it can grow through surrounding shrubs. Rather resilient it can tolerate some drought and frost. Despite its very prickly stems and leaves it is probably the most commonly grown New Zealand indigenous Rubus. The large yellow prickles and seemingly leafless growth habit are sufficiently unusual that it has proved popular in gardens. If planted in the right sites it is also an excellent deterrent, keeping out unwanted visitors and animals! As with most of the New Zealand native Rubus the fruits of this species though edible are small and lacking in flavour.

** 4 to 6 weeks cold stratification is recommended for seed.