Red Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Red Raspberry

The raspberry plant is native to Europe and Northern Asia and is a member of the Rose family of plants. As a wild plant, Rubus idaeus typically grows in forests, forming open stands under a tree canopy, and denser stands in clearings. In the south of its native range (southern Europe and central Asia), it only occurs at high altitudes in mountains. The species name idaeus refers to its occurrence on Mount Ida in northwest Turkey. The United States is the world’s third-largest producer of raspberries. Although production occurs across much of the country, most of it is concentrated in Washington, California and Oregon. Washington State leads the nation in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) production.