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Rubus flagellaris - Willd.

Common Name Northern Dewberry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry fields, openings and borders of thickets[43] in slightly acid soils[159].
Range Eastern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rubus flagellaris Northern Dewberry


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Rubus flagellaris Northern Dewberry
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rubus flagellaris is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 2 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[46, 61, 105, 161, 171, 183, 257]. A rich flavour[43]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[200]. Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw[183]. They are harvested as they come through the ground in spring and whilst they are still young and tender. The dried leaves make a fine tea[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antihaemorrhoidal  Antirheumatic  Astringent  Stimulant  Tonic  VD

The root is astringent, stimulant and tonic[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, venereal disease and rheumatism[257]. An infusion has been used as a wash in the treatment of piles[257]. The root has been chewed as a treatment for a coated tongue[257]. The leaves are astringent[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168]. A black dye is obtained from the green twigs[207].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 11, 200]. A very polymorphic species[43], it is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit and there are some named varieties[1, 171, 183]. This species is a blackberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[200]. The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a running thicket former forming a colony from shoots away from the crown spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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 is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Canadian blackberry, American dewberry, Amerikan Bogurtleni, Halifax Blackberry, Low blackberry, Trailing blackberry, Northern dewberry, Field dewberry, Smooth Blackberry,

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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