Rubus trivialis

Rubus trivialis, commonly known as southern dewberry, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family (Rosaceae) native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. It is distinguished from northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) by its hispid stems. It is a perennial herb and blooms March to April. R. trivialis has been observed within habitats such as tidal marshes, longleaf pinelands, and coastal hammocks, as well as within disturbed habitats such as alongside roads.

Description

A deciduous shrub growing to 1 m tall with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Hardy to UK zone 6. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid to basic pH and can grow in semi-shade or full sun. Prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

The fruit, which reaches about 3cm in length, is large, juicy, sweet, and well-flavoured. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and works well in jams and preserves.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They can also be used for jams and preserves.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is astringent, stimulant, and tonic. An infusion of the root can be used to treat rheumatism and diarrhoea, and applied as a wash for piles. The washed root has also been chewed as a remedy for a coated tongue. The leaves are astringent, and an infusion can be used in the treatment of stomach complaints, rheumatism, and diarrhoea.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Mexico, North America*, USA,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 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 or August and rooted in a frame. Tip layer in July and plant 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 can be 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.

DEADLY

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Walter Siegmund (talk)

Safe

Southern dewberry

Rubus trivialis

(c) sehnature, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.

Southern dewberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.

Synonyms

References (13)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 210
• Fl. bor.-amer. 1:296. 1803
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 581
• Jennings, D.L., 1979, Raspberries and blackberries, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 251

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