Bush lawyer

Bush Lawyer is a common name for several species of climbing plants, particularly those in the genus Rubus. The term is used predominantly in New Zealand and Australia, where these plants are native. The name "bush lawyer" is thought to derive from the plant's tenacious, clinging nature, which is likened to the persistence of a lawyer.

Description

Bush lawyer plants are characterized by their climbing or scrambling habit. They have sharp, hooked thorns which enable them to cling to other vegetation and climb towards the light. The leaves are typically compound, with three or five leaflets. The flowers are small and often white or pink, followed by small, red or black berries.

Species

Several species in the genus Rubus are referred to as bush lawyer. These include:

• Rubus cissoides – Also known as "scrub lawyer" or "white bush lawyer", this species is native to New Zealand. It has white flowers and red berries.
• Rubus schmidelioides – Known as "mountain lawyer" or "black bush lawyer", this species is also native to New Zealand. It has pink flowers and black berries.
• Rubus parvus – This species is native to Australia and is known as "Australian bush lawyer".

Habitat and Distribution

Bush lawyer plants are typically found in forest margins, scrubland, and disturbed areas such as roadsides. They are particularly common in rainforest habitats. In New Zealand, they are found throughout the country, from sea level to subalpine areas. In Australia, they are found in the eastern states, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland.

Uses

The berries of bush lawyer plants are edible, although they are not widely consumed due to their small size and the difficulty of harvesting them due to the plant's thorns. In traditional Maori medicine, the leaves and roots of the plant were used to treat various ailments.

See Also

• Rubus
• Flora of New Zealand
• Flora of Australia

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