Dewberry Rubus cuneifolius
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dewberry:
Previously known as:
- Rubus chapmanii
- Rubus cuneifolius var. angustior
- Rubus cuneifolius var. spiniceps
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-bus kew-nee-FOH-lee-us
- Description
-
Sand blackberry is a shrub in the rose (Rosaceae) family and is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub producing clusters of erect, rarely arching, densely-prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock This plant can be found in the coastal plains and sporadically in the Piedmont of NC. Sand blackberry is also present in the coastal areas of LA to NH and also in some inland eastern states and is often found in sandy thickets, woodland edges and fields.
The 2-5 foot canes do not bloom or fruit the first year but flower in spring and produce fruit the second year, then die down. The showy white flowers appear in spring and are followed by purple/black edible berries. The plant is loaded with prickles on the canes and stems. The leaves are compound and with a distinctly pleated look.
This plant prefers an acidic sandy loam in partial to full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Use in the edible garden or a naturalized or woodland area. It is a high-value plant for wildlife and provides food and cover year-long.
Information on blackberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Blackberries for the Home Garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Thripes may be a problem. Can become aggressive and difficult to eliminate. Because it is so successful and can spread easily, use caution when selecting a planting site. Herbicides may be required to completely eliminate the plant. In South Africa and Australia, it has become invasive.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rubus
- Species:
- cuneifolius
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- New York and New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Louisian
- Distribution:
- AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY , PA, SC, TN, VA
- Wildlife Value:
- The nectar and pollen of the Sand blackberry flowers attract many kinds of insects, butterflies, and especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. It provides protective cover year-round for numerous small animals and birds. The fruits are relished by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotten fruit. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant
- Edibility:
- The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Dry but sweet and with a good flavour. The fruit can be up to an inch long.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Prickles
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Dry but sweet and with a good flavor. Black fruit displays from June to July.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- In bloom from April to June. The white flowers have 5 petals, 5 sepals and numerous stamens. The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The compound leaves are densely white-hairy beneath. There are 3 leaflets that are broadest beyond the middle and have somewhat rounded tips. The leaves also tend to have a distinctive pleated look to them.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Upright canes are green to brow with age and armed with many prickles
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Security
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
