Plant Profile: Rubus hispidus

The Rubus genus encompasses blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries, with most species characterized by thorny or bristly stems and compound leaves. Notably, flowers and fruits typically develop on last year's canes rather than on new growth, necessitating careful pruning to avoid removing the canes that will produce berries in the following season. There are variations among the species; for instance, some grow as upright or arching shrubs reaching heights of up to 8 feet, while others spread along the ground like vines. Dewberries, for example, bear fruit in the spring, whereas blackberries and raspberries yield their harvest in the summer. Overall, the Rubus genus includes some of the most vital plants for wildlife in the southeastern United States.

Swamp dewberry is a native perennial shrub belonging to the Rose family, featuring woody vines and trailing stems that can extend up to 8 feet. Unlike arching canes, dewberries have stems that lie flat on the ground, with the ability to root at their tips, giving rise to new plants. This species thrives in wetland environments, disturbed areas, forest edges, meadows, fields, and swamps. In North Carolina, it is predominantly found in the coastal plains and mountainous regions, while it is less common in the Piedmont area.

The flowers of swamp dewberry attract a variety of bees, including both long-tongued and short-tongued species. Its fruits are consumed by numerous songbirds and mammals. The summer berries tend to have a tart flavor, and the plant is not typically cultivated.

Regarding plant health, species within this genus are particularly vulnerable to honey fungus.