Native raspberry ( Rubus parvifolius)

This prickly rambler is often mistaken for a spindly blackberry and pulled out of gardens, but it produces our very own scrumptious raspberry. The fruit is similar to the introduced raspberry, but slightly smaller, and with larger, more differentiated segments. Copiously covered in pretty pink blossom, followed in summer with fruit, this rambler can be tamed to climb a trellis. If allowed to spread, it quickly roots from suckers. Interestingly, this species is also native to Japan. There are many other Rubus species native to Australia, but R. parvifolius is one of the tastiest, and it is very productive and low-care, growing in a range of soils and light. My favourite thing to make with the fruit is native raspberry and native pepperberry ice-cream. 0.5–1m 0.5–2m