Rubus pentalobus: Creeping Raspberry – Textured Foliage and Edible Fruit

Rubus pentalobus – Creeping Raspberry, Creeping Bramble

Rubus pentalobus (syn. R. calycinoides), known as Creeping Raspberry or Creeping Bramble, is a low, woody, evergreen ground cover from Taiwan. It features distinctive, crinkled, five-lobed leaves with a rough texture, dark green above and pale beneath. In late spring, it produces small, white, five-petaled flowers followed by aggregate fruits that ripen to orange-red – edible but bland. The foliage often turns bronze-red in winter.

Creeping Raspberry thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It spreads by rooting stems to form a dense, weed-proof mat. It is tough, drought-tolerant once established, and handles foot traffic moderately well. Excellent for slopes, bank stabilization, and covering large areas. The textured foliage provides year-round interest. A versatile, problem-solving ground cover for sun or shade.

Plant Profile