Kumanika In The Pantry Of The Sun

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Kumanika (Rubus nessensis) in the pantry of the sun

Kumanika (Rubus nessensis) is a semi-shrub of the pink family. In terms of leaves, shape and structure of fruits, this plant resembles a raspberry. But these are not raspberries. Raspberries do not have such dark red, almost black berries.

But if the fruits are black and even with a bluish bloom - then it's blackberries! - the experienced readers will say. Yes, blackberry, ozhina, hedgehog or azhina (they have such names in various regions of Russia) - there is such a climbing shrub from the same Rosaceae family as raspberries. Certain types of blackberry have adapted to continue their genus in a peculiar way. They do not have root shoots replacing obsolete stems the next year. But flexible and long shoots with thorns with a sharp, pointed end gradually tilt to the ground and take root there easily. The widespread blackberry species have sprouts.

However, the plant in question is not a blackberry. Just look at the shoots: they are erect and unable to take root. But then what is it? Judging by all the signs, we met the "relatives" of the blackberry - kumanika. She also has other names - kumaniha, bear. Sometimes it is not distinguished at all from a blackberry, although the color of the kumanik fruit is still rather dark red than violet-blue, like a blackberry.

Kumanik blooms with large white flowers, they are larger than those of raspberries. Leaves are dense and tenacious, beautiful dark green. When you walk next to a bush, leaves cling to clothes.

Kumanik tastes similar to blackberries. It has sweet and sour fruits, very juicy, raspberry-like in shape, without bloom. The fruits are quite edible fresh. They are used to make jam, jam, make juices, marmalade, jelly, berries are used in confectionery and dried. In dried form, the vitamins and other useful substances contained in them are well preserved. This berry is widely known in Europe. It grows in bushes, at the edges of forests. In the Leningrad region, it is also growing well. There is a lot of it in the forest in Yucca. Usually it is found on low hills, in places slightly swampy. It must be admitted that few people know this berry, which should only be regretted.

There are other little-known fruit and berry crops that can be grown in your area.