Bristly Dewberry (Rubus hispidus) Linnaeus, 1753 |
Synonyms: Rubus blanchardianus Rubus obovatus, Rubus sempervirens, Selnorition obovalis, Rubus davisiorum, Rubus pervarius, (see Flora of North America for more synonyms ), swamp dewberry, bristly groundberry |
Rubus hispidus occurs in central and eastern North America, from Ontario east to Newfoundland, and south to Tennessee and Georgia; introduced on the West Coast (Washington State). It grows in wet to dry soils in woodlands, forest openings, meadows, bogs, fens, and disturbed areas; 0-1,500 m. A small shrub, sometimes herb-like, up to 20 cm in height. Stems biennial, creeping; flowering branches often erect, glabrous or sparsely hairy; prickles sparse to dense. Leaves ternate or, sometimes, palmate; persist for nearly a year; leaflets obovate, with moderately to coarsely serrate margins. Flowers with 5 white petals, arranged in terminal racemes of 1-7. Fruits are dark-purple or black, with 10-20 drupelets. R. hispidus flowers in May-August; hybridizes with other Rubus spp.