Rubus argutus

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Species:
R. argutus
Binomial name
Rubus argutus
Link. 1822
Synonyms[1]
Synonymy
  • Rubus abundiflorus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus betulifolius Small
  • Rubus floridensis L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus floridus Tratt.
  • Rubus incisifrons L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus louisianus A.Berger
  • Rubus penetrans L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus rhodophyllus Rydb.

Rubus argutus is a North American species of prickly bramble in the rose family. It is a perennial plant native to the eastern and south-central United States. Common names are sawtooth blackberry[2] or tall blackberry after its high growth.

Description

R. argutus usually forms woody shrubs or vines, up to 2 meters (80 inches) in height,[3] with thorns on stems, leaves, and flowers. The leaves are alternate and palmately compound. First-year plants have palmate leaves with 5 leaflets while second-year plants have palmate leaves with 3 leaflets. Second-year plants develop racemes of flowers each containing 5–20 flowers.[4] The flowers are typically 5-merous with large, white petals and light green sepals, borne in mid-spring.[5] Second-year plants are also capable of growing the fruit which gives the plant's common name, the blackberry. The fruits are compound drupes which change from bright red to black at maturity. Each section (drupelet) of a blackberry contains a single seed. Second year plants die after bearing fruits, but regrow from the underground portion of the plant.

There are many species of blackberries, which are edible and differ by size.[6]

Distribution and habitat

The species grows from Florida to Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and Maine.[7]

Uses

Blackberry leaves were in the official U.S. pharmacopoeia for a time and were said to treat digestive problems, particularly diarrhea. Their dried leaves make an excellent tea.[8]

References

  1. ↑ The Plant List, Rubus argutus Link
  2. ↑ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rubus argutus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Rydberg, Per Axel (1901) Rubus argutus in Britton, Nathaniel, Manual of the Flora of the northern States and Canada. p. 498.
  4. ↑ "Highbush Blackberry". Illinois Wildflowers.
  5. ↑ Brainerd, Ezra (1900). "The Blackberries of New England". Journal of the New England Botanical Club. 2 (14): 23–29. JSTOR 23293072.
  6. ↑ Bennett, Chris (2015-04-22). Southeast Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Angelica to Wild Plums. Timber Press. ISBN 9781604694994.
  7. ↑ County distribution map. Biota of North America Program 2014
  8. ↑ "Blackberries, A Forager's Companion". Eat The Weeds and other things, too. 2014-05-07. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
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