Dewberry
Rubus flagellaris

f16 @ 1/160s, ISO:1000, Nikon D3S w 105mm macro and qty 2 SB-R200 flashes

Dewberries are very low growing native perennial shrubs of the Rubus genus. As explained elsewhere on this page, there is considerable variation in the characteristics of the plants now grouped as Northern Dewberry: The species has canes usually less than 8 feet long, many times shorter, (but can grow much longer in the right environment). They are usually prostrate and live for two years. First year canes can root at the tips. The canes are green initially, turning reddish with age and have very small but stout prickles that have a wide base and a bit of a hook, but the number, density and shape of the prickles is highly variable. Flowers: The flower resembles the Blackberry (R. allegheniensis); flowers are 3/4 to 1 inch wide, with five wrinkly white petals that have rounded tips and narrow bases, and five narrowly ovate shaped green sepals that are much shorter than the petals. The central part of the flower has numerous carpels, each with a style, and these are surrounded by numerous stamens on long thin filaments ending in yellow-green anthers. Flower stalks are usually with hair and sometimes with prickles.

Francis A. Crane Wildlife Management Area, East Falmouth, Massachusetts

05/29/2018