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Rubus hispidus - L.

Common Name Swamp Dewberry, Bristly dewberry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist or dry open soils, ditches, swales or open woods[43].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Georgia and Kansas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rubus hispidus Swamp Dewberry, Bristly dewberry


J.I. Jones @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth, TX.
Rubus hispidus Swamp Dewberry, Bristly dewberry
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stevenj

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rubus hispidus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. 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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[61, 105, 161]. A sour flavour[1, 11, 235]. They are mainly used in preserves[177]. A reasonable flavour, but it is not worth picking in the presence of better varieties[2]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[200].

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.
Astringent  Dysentery  Febrifuge  Vermifuge

The plant has astringent properties. The juice of the plant has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[213, 238, 257]. An infusion of the fruits in warm water has been used as a vermifuge[213, 257]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of consumption, coughs and fevers[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168]. A good ground cover plant[11].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 11, 200]. 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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

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

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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Rubus barbatus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus bellobatusKittatinny BlackberryShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM201
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Rubus bifronsHimalayan berry, Hybrid European blackberry, Hybrid blackberryShrub1.5 0-0  LMHSNM101
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Rubus calycinusWild RaspberryPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM101
Rubus canadensisAmerican Dewberry, Smooth blackberryShrub2.5 3-7  LMHSNM411
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Rubus caucasicus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus caudatus  0.0 -  LMHSNM201
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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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