Rubus caucasicus Focke (1874: 183)

Akopian, Janna, 2024, Taxonomic synopsis of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae) in Armenia, Phytotaxa 677 (2), pp. 125-143 : 137

13. Rubus caucasicus Focke (1874: 183) ; Yuzepchuk (1941: 48).

Lectotype (designated by Yuzepchuk: 1957):— GEORGIA. Racha district , Nakerala village, s.d., Ruprecht s.n. ( LE). ( Fig. 6 A, B )

= R. glandulosus var. canescens Boisser (1872: 693) = R. ponticus (Focke) Yuzepchuk (1941: 607) .

Distribution in Armenia: Ijevan and Zangezur floristic regions. In forests, forest edges, shrubberies, at an altitude of 800–1800 above sea level.

Phenology: Flowering (May)June–August; fruiting September–October.

General distribution: Caucasus, North-East Anatolia.

Plants growing in Southern Armenia differ from typical ones by leafy inflorescences, weakly pentagonal stems, covered, in addition to the usual thin ones, with numerous expanded spines, by leathery leaves, pointed at the top, cordate at the base, petals both white and pink.

Avetisyan (2007) indicates on species Rubus hirtus Waldstein & Kitaibel (1805: 150) (sect. Glandulosi) for the flora of Armenia, which had been reported by Elenevky (1962) from Zangezur floristic region. The presence of this polymorphic species in the flora of Armenia requires further research.

Selected specimens. ARMENIA: Ijevan region, Uzuntala village, northwestern slope, beech forest, 1100 m a.s.l., 21 November 1945, Yaroshenko 66874 (ERE); Zangezur, Kafan district, above the village of Tsav, nomad, 1700 m a.s.l., 10 October 1954, Mulkidzhanyan 66876, 58407 (ERE); Noyemberyan district, left side of the Voskepar river, curtain of bear nut, 18 June 1964, Mulkidzhanyan, Poghosyan 81225 (ERE); Ijevan, pass, Verin Agdan, forest, 11 August 1954, Mulkidzhanyan 58313, 58314 (ERE); Noyemberyan district, Kokhb forestry, edge of beech forest, 1300 m a.s.l., 15 June 1970, Mulkidzhanyan, Khanjyan, Babayan 93884 (ERE); Syunik marz, between Chakaten and Shikahogh villages, Voghji River basin, edges of Quercus iberica and Carpinus betulus mixed forest, Alt. 1174 m, N 39 o 07'03.21'', E 46 o 28'06.62'', 12 September 2019, Gabrielyan 1561 (ERE); Syunik marz, Kapan region, vicinity of Shikahogh village, Shikahogh reserve, Taxus forest, Alt. 1344 m, N 39 o 04'41.22'', E 46 o 26'41.23'', 8 August 2023, Gabrielyan, Aghatelyan 302230 (ERE).

Section 6. Corylifolii Focke (1868: 277).

Annual shoots arcuately prostrate, often with a bluish bloom, glabrous or slightly hairy, usually glandular, with straight unequal prickles. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets wide, green on both side or some greyish below, often imbricate, lower ones on very short petioles, stipules lanceolate. Inflorescences short, petals wide; sepals adjacent to fruits; drupes dull black, large.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Leaves and fragments of stems of Rubus caucasicus (Ijevan, pass, Verin Agdan, forest. 11 August 1954. Mulkidzhanyan 58313, ERE)—A, B; R. caesius (Inter monaster Achtala et Samblung, in sylva. 10 September 1925. Shelkovnikov 21315, ERE)—C, D