Rubus almus
(L. H. Bailey) L. H. Bailey
Mayes dewberry, Joplin Creek Dewberry
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President and Fellows of Harvard College
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President and Fellows of Harvard College
Summary
Source: WikipediaA deciduous shrub reaching 2 m tall with equal spread. Hardy to UK zone 8. Hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub reaching 2 m tall with equal spread. Hardy to UK zone 8. Hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit is a good-quality dewberry that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is very juicy, with an oblong fruit about 30mm long.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Propagation
Seed requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs one month stratification at about 3°c and should be sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame. Tip layering in July, planting out in autumn. Division can be done in early spring or just before leaf-fall in autumn.
Other Uses
A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.
Notes
There are about 250 Rubus species.
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Mayes dewberry
Rubus almus
Wikimedia Commons
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Mayes dewberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (2)
- Gentes Herb. 5:264. 1943
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
