Swamp Dewberry

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Genus: Rubus

Specis: R. hispidus

Identifying Characteristics:

- Leaf structure: leaflets firm or thick, apex rounded, compound, alternate, divided into 3 or possibly 5 different parts, deciduous, shiny and darker green on upper surface and lighter green on underside, edges of leaves have rounded teeth

-Stem structure: trails or creeps, slender, 4-10 inches in height, thorny, shrub-like, woody, sometimes have glands at tip

-Flower: white, 1-3 m wide, can grow singly or in clusters at the ends of branches, 5 petals, sepals joined, develop in mid-summer, petals obovate and broad, many stamens, usually bloom from May to June

-Fruit: reddish- purple when mature, similar to raspberry, tiny seeds, develop in early fall – usually June to August, grows in clusters, receptacle and fruit not separated

Special Adaptations:

-The Dewberry plant prefers to live in conifer swamps, wet hardwood forests, thickets, and usually in an areas that are shaded. It can also live in drainage ditches, low woods and swampy meadows. This plant is found frequently along the edges of wetlands

-It can also live in soils with a pH as low as 4.5, and as high as 7. This plant requires plenty of sunlight and moisture for growth. It also requires oxygenated soils.