Chromosome Number of a Sub-Antarctic Rubus

Abstract

Rubus geoides from the southern hemisphere is a creeping form of bramble with simple, glossy leaves and hermaphrodite flowers. It occurs in Patagonia and in the Falkland Islands, where it is harvested locally for the red raspberry-like fruits. This species can be considered to be the southern equivalent of the northern hemisphere circumpolar species of creeping diploid Rubus arcticus. R. geoides was considered of possible interest for raspberry and blackberry breeding in Scotland because of its hardiness, lack of thorns, and its ability to produce fruits under windy and extreme climatic conditions. Plants raised from seeds received from Patagonia have grown well both indoors and outdoors in the east of Scotland, although its leaves are subject to mildew when kept in a poorly ventilated glasshouse and its flowering has been sparse.