Rubus malifolius Focke

A deciduous shrub whose prostrate or climbing stems are sparingly armed with short recurved spines, otherwise glabrous. Leaves oval or ovate, 2 to 5 in. long, 1 to 2 in. wide, rounded at the base, glabrous above, downy on the veins beneath, the margins set with broad, shallow teeth, each tooth ending in a small abrupt point; veins in seven to ten pairs, parallel; stalk 1⁄4 to 5⁄8 in. long. Flowers in terminal racemes, 2 to 4 in. long, each flower 1 in. across, the petals white, roundish, overlapping; anthers downy; sepals ovate, downy like the short flower-stalk. Fruits of goodly size, black.

Native of W. China, where it is common in thickets at 2,000 to 4,000 ft; also of Central China, but rare. It is an elegant species, and in regard to its flowers is one of the handsomest of Chinese Rubi, but according to Wilson the fruit has an unpleasant flavour. It differs from R. hupehensis in the inflorescence being without glands. The specific name refers to the apple-like foliage.