Rubus moluccanus L., Rosaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: Molucca bramble, Molucca raspberry, eelkek, wild bramble, wild raspberry

Fijian: soni, wa ngandrongandro, wa sori, wa votovotoa, wa vuka, wagadogadro, wavotovotoa, wavuka

French: piquant lou-lou

Kosraean: kohkihl, kokol, kokul

Kwara‘ae: kwalo faraka‘u

Solomon Pijin: caru caru

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "Rubus moluccanus has a simple leaf and is a scrambling shrub reaching 2 to 3 m high. The stems and leaves are armed with medium sized spines. The leaves are large and lobed and the upper surface hairy. The leaf has a crinkled surface and the underside is white. The flowers are white and borne in clusters. The berries are about 1 cm across. They are red and with little flavor." (Ecoport).

"Tall scrambling shrub or climber; stems clothed with short rusty or white woolly hairs, armed with numerous prickles. Leaf blades simple, broadly cordate-ovate, usually 3- or 5-lobed, 3-20 cm x 2.5-18 cm, glabrous or sparsely hairy above, densely white or rusty hairy below.  Flowers pinkish-red in irregular panicles in upper axils.  Aggregate fruits red, ca 1.2 cm diameter" (Stanley and Ross, 1983; vol. 1, p. 233).

Habitat/ecology:  A spiny, high-climbing brier.  Favors wet lowland areas.  In Fiji, "sometimes locally abundant from near sea level to an elevation of 1,100 m, on forest edges or in secondary forest or thickets"  (Smith, 1985; pp. 39-40).

Propagation:  Bird-dispersed fruits.

Native range:  Himalayas through Malaysia to Australia, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji. Smith (1985; pp. 39-40) says that var. austropacificus van Royen is indigenous to the Caroline Islands, New Britain [Vanuatu], the Solomon Islands, northern Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji.  Fosberg, Sachet & Oliver (1979; p. 89) list it as a native on Kosrae.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 89)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 90)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	probably native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 7) Voucher: BMW 5754 (BISH)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 23) Invasive
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	uncertain if native invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2005) (p. 19)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 38950) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 38981) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 173181) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 173182) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1945) (voucher ID: BISH 173183) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 173189) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 429563) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 627028) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 627029) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 627030) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 659846) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (2000) (voucher ID: BISH 687663) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	probably introduced	Sanney, Jacob A. (2013) (p. 19) KCSO target species 2013
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: Smith 113
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 173163) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica P.Royen
Fiji Fiji Islands	Moala Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: Bryan 330
Fiji Fiji Islands	Moala Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 173159) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Moala Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1924) (voucher ID: BISH 173160) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ngau Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: Milne 166
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: Milne 262
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Vouchers cited: Smith 1746, DA 12919,  Greenwood 621, Smith 554, Bierhorst F59
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 173161) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica P.Royen
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 173162) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica P.Royen
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Vouchers cited: Degener & Ordonez 13519, Smith 4835, Tabualewa 15631, DA 9198 (McKee 2761), Smith 8760, Gillespie 2483, St. John 18197, DA 9910, DA 7514, Parks 20286A, DA 9938, DA 7514, Parks 20286A, DA 9938, DA 5941, Seemann 147
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 6950) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 34311) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 173154) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 173155) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1937) (voucher ID: BISH 173156) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 173157) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 173158) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1941) (voucher ID: BISH 173164) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica P.Royen
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 173165) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica P.Royen
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 173166) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1941) (voucher ID: BISH 173167) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 173168) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1940) (voucher ID: BISH 173169) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Wakaya Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: Milne 386
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1923) (voucher ID: BISH 6488) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 202)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	New Britain Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island		Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 55)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (pp. 228-229) Common in forests at medium and higher altitudes, to very wet reegions also at low altitudes.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1931) (voucher ID: BISH 173187) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Mikira (San Cristobal) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 173184) Taxon name on voucher: Rubus moluccanus L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41) Voucher cited: van Royen 16444
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 106)
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)	native	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 39-41)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	native	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 76) Vulnerable
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Cronk, Q. C. B./Fuller, J. L. (2001) (p. 193)
India (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Andaman Islands	Andaman Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
India (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Nicobar Islands	Nicobar Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, D./Sussman, R. W. (1988) (pp. 187-204)

Comments:  A serious pest on the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. On U.S. Federal noxious weed list.

Control:  See other Rubus species for control suggestions.