The name tātarāmoa, or taramoa, is used for brambles collectively. For ‘prickly’ plants of the Rubus genus, this also includes the introduced blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), which is named parakipere in Maori. Tātarāmoa is a prickly and strong vine, possibly able to restrain a moa, hence it’s name. There are five of these indigenous species belonging to the Rubus family (Rubus, from Latin, meaning bramble) and, like the European species, they have hooked thorns, which can catch clothing and tear skin. They are our indigenous raspberries. A common name for them is bush lawyer; this name was suggested because once this plant catches you, it won’t let go until it’s shed your blood! The most common of our indigenous species are Rubus squarrosus and Rubus cissoides; the others are R. australis, R. parvus and R. schmidelioides – the latter of which has two varieties: R. schmidelioides var. schmidelioides and R. schmidelioides var. subpauperatus. A brief description of each follows.

Rubus squarrosus – Commonly known as leafless lawyer or yellow-prickled lawyer, this scrambling vine has yellow prickles and small, deeply toothed, lanceolate leaves with panicles of flowers October to December, followed by orange-red fruit February to March; they may be disappointing if you are used to raspberries. It is found on both North and South Islands, often in open areas or on cliffs or rocky slopes.

“Than that vile twine of prickles fine which if it touch you, cuts and clings Whene'er you push through briar and bush.” – Alfred Domett, English colonial statesman and New Zealand’s fourth Premier (1862-1863).

Rubus cissoides – Meaning ivy-like, this red-prickled vine grows up to 10m. It has small, leathery, palmate- serrated leaves and white flowers, from September to November, followed by red to orange-red fruit in summer. It is endemic to all of New Zealand, including Stewart Island, usually found in forest or scrubland and wetland surrounds.

ßR. cissoides, fruit, Waipuna Saddle R. cissoides, flowers, Banks Peninsula à Photos: Melissa Hutchison

Rubus australis – Southern or swamp bush lawyer is a prickly vine, up to 10m, found throughout New Zealand, from mountainous scrubland to coastal areas. It has leathery leaves which can have three to five leaflets and reddish prickles. Its flowers are in panicles, varying from white to pink, and appear from August to October, followed by yellow to orange-red fruit ripening December to April.

R. australis, Darkies Terrace Track, Charleston à Photo: Melissa Hutchison

Tātarāmoa Rubus cissoides, R. australis, R. Parvus,

R. schmidelioides, R. squarrosus

R. squarrosus, Napenape Scenic Reserve Photo: Melissa Hutchison

R. squarrosus, Kaitorete Spit Photo: Melissa Hutchison

R. squarrosus, Kaitorete Spit Photo: Melissa Hutchison

R. parvus – Meaning few/small, this species is found in the South Island. It grows as a rambling shrubby creeper, up to 1m. The new growth has a red tinge and the prickles are orange-red to pale red. It has narrow leaves with darker veins and white flowers from November to January, with fruit ripening to red in April. It grows mostly in mountainous terrain.

ß R. parvus fruit, Mōhikinui Photo: Melissa Hutchison

Rubus schmidelioides – There are two varieties: Rubus schmidelioides var. schmidelioides and Rubus schmidelioides var. subpauperatus.

Rubus schmidelioides var. schmidelioides – (schmidelia-like, a soap wort). Commonly known as the white-leaved lawyer, it is found throughout New Zealand over a wide range of terrain. This multi-branched, red-prickled vine grows up to 10m. It has narrow green leaves, which have very fine, pale hairs underneath. It has panicles of white or cream flowers from September to November, with the fruit ripening from December to April. ß R. schmidelioides, with immature fruit Photo: Melissa Hutchison

Rubus schmidelioides var. subpauperatus – Also a white-leaved bush lawyer, it differs from R. schmidelioides by being more prickly, with red thorns, narrower leaves, though with similar fine, pale hairs and more compact panicles of white-cream flowers from September to November, with the yellow-orange fruit ripening from December to April. It is found growing on both the South and Stewart Islands, from the coast to the mountains, in both forest and scrubland.

R. schmidelioides var. subpauperatus, Sutton Salt Lake, Otago à Photo: Melissa Hutchison

Here is an interesting description about the growth habits of these plants: “Tolerant of most soils and exposure. Great to plant around your property, under windows, etc, to stop or discourage unwanted intruders.”

Parts Used: All parts of these plants can be used. Kereru and tui are very partial to the fruit.

Medicinal Uses: Traditional uses for tātarāmoa are similar to other Rubus species worldwide; used primarily for its astringent properties, both internally and topically. It can tonify the gut; the plant boiled is used for treating diarrhoea/dysentery, though the boiled bark was used as a laxative. It has recorded use for treating respiratory congestion and coughs, and was chewed as a remedy for toothache. As a steam bath, it was combined with ngaio and kawakawa to treat those with rheumatism and other illnesses. Tātarāmoa was part of a blend of herbs used as a wash and steam bath for women, post childbirth; other herbs – mangeao (Litsea calicaris) and kōtukutuku (Fuchsia excorticata). Equal quantities of the roots of tātarāmoa, toetoe (Austroderia sp.) and kareao (Ripogonum scandens/supplejack), washed together then added to hot water, is a treatment for intestinal parasites; the suggested dose is “small quantities every morning”. Perhaps that could be about 5-10ml for an adult.

History & Mystery: Tātarāmoa and onga onga/tree nettle (Urtica ferox) feature in part of the Maori creation story, from when Tane assisted to separate his parents – Rangi (Sky Father) and Papa (Earth Mother). A karakia (invocation) was chanted: “Stand apart the skin be divided, as the tātarāmoa to the skin, as the onga onga to the skin, do not grieve for your partner, do not cry for your husband...” Ouch, that would be real aversion therapy!

Prepared for the Herb Federation of New Zealand’s Herb Awareness Week 2020. Enquiries: www.herbs.org.nz

References: NZ Plant Conservation Network http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=1267 and Maori Healing And Herbal by Murdoch Riley. Thanks to Melissa Hutchison for the use of her images.

Advisory Note: This text is given as a general guidance. If any adverse reactions occur or symptoms persist, please contact a qualified medical herbalist or medical doctor immediately.