Raspberry
Family Rosaceae
Rubus idaeus, the raspberry (R. idaeus 1), has a shallow spreading woody root system producing upright suckers or canes with compound leaves, up to 150 cm tall, forming a dense thicket. These canes usually flower in the second year, producing white pentamerous flowers in small clusters, each flower with numerous stamens. The fruit is a compound one (R. idaeus 2), composed of numerous 1-seeded drupelets, set together on a conical receptacle (R. idaeus 3). The fruit is easily detachable from the receptacle, in contrast to the blackberry, in which the receptacle does not separate from the drupelets.
Distribution and use
The raspberry is a wild shrub in Europe and Asia. From the 17th century onwards raspberries are cultivated for their delicious fruits, which are eaten fresh or used for making jam and drinks. Large quantities are canned and frozen as well. The main producing countries are Russia, Germany, East Europe, the UK, and Canada.