How to identify Northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)

How to identify Northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)

Northern dewberry, also known as Northern blackberry, Lucretia dewberry, Dewberry

Northern dewberry is a perennial shrub that displays a vine-like growth habit, with stems that can extend up to 15 feet (4.57 meters) horizontally across the ground. It is characterized by low growth that rarely elevates above the surface. This plant's woody, trailing stems are notable, as is the dense foliage that accompanies them. The leaves and stems may provide important identification markers for this species.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Deciduous

Quickly Identify Northern dewberry

Trailing woody stems up to 15 feet (4.57 meters) long, rarely elevating above ground.

White flowers in corymbs with star-like appearance, 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3.2 cm) across.

Deep purple-black drupes with tart-sweet flavor, reaching 1 inch (2.54 cm) in length.

Compound trifoliate leaves with serrated edges and pale undersides, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) across.

Slender stems with hooked prickles, maturing from green to brown, about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Northern dewberry

Leaf Features

The leaves of northern dewberry are compound and typically trifoliate, sometimes with up to five leaflets, featuring a long petiole. The leaflets have serrated edges and wedge-shaped bases, with the terminal leaflet on a short petiole and the others being sessile. The tips of the leaflets gradually taper, and the undersides are paler than the upper surfaces. Individual leaflets can reach up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) across and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,

Obtuse ,

Acute ,

Caudiform

Leaf Texture

Papyraceous ,

Coriaceous ,

Herbaceous ,

Succulent/Fleshy

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Northern dewberry produces corymbs of 1-5 apomictic flowers that open during the day and close at night. The white flowers, approximately 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3.2 cm) across, bloom from April to May. Each flower consists of five petals arranged in a simple, open fashion, creating a star-like appearance. These flowers possess no discernible scent, remaining visually attractive during their brief blooming period. Each flower later develops into fruit with viable seeds, bypassing fertilization due to apomixis.

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Stem Features

The stem of northern dewberry features scattered hooked prickles, providing a rough texture. Young stems are a vibrant green, gradually maturing to a brown hue as they age. These stems are slender, typically growing up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter. They exhibit a branching pattern that can be somewhat irregular, contributing to their rugged appearance. These characteristics are vital for identification, distinguishing northern dewberry from other similar plants.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of northern dewberry is a drupe, typically reaching an inch (2.54 cm) in length and slightly narrower in width. Upon maturity, the drupes exhibit a deep purple-black or black hue, and have a distinct tart-sweet flavor, appealing to various palates. These fruits are most commonly observed between May and July, offering a seasonal treat. The texture and gradation of color are significant identification features for those interested in plant recognition.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Northern dewberry and Their Similar Plants

Red raspberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

Red raspberry is a perennial forest shrub with elongated, thorny stems. The stems grow rapidly during their first year and bloom in their second year. The plant produces small, aggregate fruit that has a distinct aroma and a sweet-and-sour taste. Rubus idaeus cultivars are hybrids between this red raspberry and the American species R. Strigosus.

Common blackberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is a deciduous shrub endemic to North America. This wild plant is commonly found on clearings and woodland margins. Its fruit is edible and has a sweet, mildly spicy taste. The fruits are most commonly eaten raw, but they can also be cooked or dried.

Black raspberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

The black raspberry is occasionally grown commercially, although not very popular due to its low yield. Black raspberry can be consumed dried, frozen, fresh, as a purée, juiced or in liqueur. Besides, it can also be used as a natural dye.

Wineberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

Wineberry (*Rubus phoenicolasius*) is a plant species native to northeast Asia. Wineberry has been naturalized in both Europe and North America as an ornamental plant. This plant is edible, and its berries are sometimes mistaken for raspberries or blackberries.

Southern dewberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

The southern dewberry is a delicious and edible fruit-bearing plant with dark blueberries that can appear black. The taste is sweet and can be used for jams or pies. The leaves, meanwhile, can be used to make tea. It is a special delicacy in the southern United States, where the Rubus trivialis originated.

Salmonberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

Salmonberry is a shrub growing to 1.07 to 4 m tall. It is known for its fruit, which bears resemblance to a raspberry. This plant earned its common name due to the fact that these berries were traditionally eaten by Native Americans with salmon or salmon roe. The taste of the berries themselves is somewhat bland but depends on the climate and site of growth.

Purple-flowering raspberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

The purple-flowering raspberry is a type of raspberry bush with large showy flowers and no thorns or prickers to get in your way. The flowers on this bush will last throughout the summer, giving way to some tart, though still edible, small-sized berries. Also known as the thimbleberry or Rubus odoratus, this delightful bush can spread into large thickets.

Cutleaf evergreen blackberry vs. Northern dewberry: What's The Difference?

The fruit of cutleaf evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus) ripens in late summer. The fruit starts its life as a crimson color but turns black when it’s mature. Cutleaf evergreen blackberry berries are edible and used to make jellies and jams.

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Key Facts About Northern dewberry

Attributes of Northern dewberry

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

20 cm to 30 cm

Spread

1.2 m to 1.8 m

Fruit Color

Black

Purple

Stem Color

Green

Brown

Leaf type

Evergreen, Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Northern dewberry

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Brambles

Species

Northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)

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Distribution Map of Northern dewberry

Northern dewberry is primarily native to North America, flourishing in diverse habitats within this extensive region. Over time, it has been introduced to other continents, including South America, Africa, and Oceania, where it continues to propagate across different ecosystems.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Northern dewberry

A Comprehensive Guide to Northern dewberry How to Grow and Care for Northern dewberry