Dewberry - Definition and Overview

Dewberry
Ripening dewberries at Pamplico, South Carolina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Subfamily: Rosoideae Genus: Rubus Subgenus: Eubatus
Species
See text

The Dewberries (Rubus sect. Eubatus) are a group species closely related to the blackberries. They are small brambles with berries reminiscent of the raspberry, but are purple instead of red.

Dewberries are common throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere, sometimes thought of as a nuisance weed, but the leaves] can be used for a tea, and the berries are sweet and delicious. They can be eaten raw, or used to make cobbler or jam.

Around May, the plants start to grow white flowers that develop into a small green berry. The tiny green berries grow red and then a deep purple-blue as they ripen. When the berries are ripe, they are tender and difficult to pick in any quantity without squashing them. The plants do not have upright canes like some other Rubus species, but have stems that trail along the ground, putting forth new roots along the length of the stem. The stems are covered with fine spines or stickers. Anyone picking these wild berries can expect to have their hands stained purple and to have many scratches from the stickers, but the tast of the sweet berries is worth the trouble.

In the winter the leaves often remain on the stems, but may turn dark red.

Dewberry in winter, Johnsonville, South Carolina

Species

• European dewberry Rubus caesius
• Pacific dewberry Rubus ursinus
• Northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
• Southern dewberry Rubus enslenii
• Swamp dewberry Rubus hispidus
• Upland dewberry Rubus invisus
• Aberdeen dewberry Rubus depavitus

and many more

Dewberry is also used as a nickname for other berries that become dew-like in texture and are as delicious as berries.

See also

• Bramble fruit