Rubus+rolfei+-+Julie+D.



**Rubus rolfei,** //"Creeping Raspberry"//

Rubus is a genus in the family Rosaceae. Rosaceae is one of the largest families with about 3,400 species, including berries, cherries, the hawthorn tree, the mountain ash, and more. Raspberry is a deciduous bush that reaches six feet (two meters) in height, and stands erect with thorny stems; its roots are perennial. Leaves come in groups of three or five and the bottoms are silver-white in color. The flowers (white) bloom in late spring or early summer. The berry is composed of many connected druplets--individual sections of fruit.
 * Historical Origins of the Plant**


 * Cultural Significance of the Plant**
 * Raspberries are used in alternative medicine, often to aid women in pregnancy. A tea made from the leaves has been used for centuries to assist pregnancy (helping alleviate morning sickness, preventing miscarriage, strengthening the uterus, regulating contractions, and relaxing the uterus) and to increase breast milk after the birth of the baby. **

**Importation or Cultivation of the Plant in the United States:** -Raspberries are normally started in the winter from dormant canes. In private gardens, these typically are planted about three feet apart in fertile, well drained soil. The soil is prepared beforehand by digging deeply and incorporating plenty of organic matter, such as compost. -Two general types are commercially available: the wild-type summer bearing, which produces an abundance of fruit on second-year canes midsummer, and double-bearing plants, which also bear a few fruit on first-year canes in the autumn, as well as the summer crop on second-year canes. In the United States, raspberries can be cultivated from USDA plant hardiness zones three to nine.

Looking at Rubus rolfei, or the raspberry, would be a great activity in a seventh grade social studies classroom. Before actually addressing culture with regards to the plant, I would like for my students to examine a little bit of geography. This would likely include an analysis of Taiwan's landscape in comparison to the United States' as well as a comparison of climates/growing conditions. A venn diagram might be an appropriate activity to do so. As far as examining culture -- I would like for my students to take a look at the different uses of raspberries -- how do the uses in Taiwan differ from the uses in the United States? Upon gathering this information, the students will answer the question "Why?" This will likely require making inferences about varying cultures and in doing so will be a nice introduction to the people of Taiwan.
 * In the Classroom:**

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